Charleston Water System warns of rate hikes for customers

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) — The Charleston Water System announced a potential rate hike for residents starting next year, on top of an expected hike already planned for January.

The additional rate increase, expected at 3%, will be in addition to the expected 7% hike starting in January, making water rates increase by a total of 10% on Jan. 1, 2026.

The additional rate increase is planned to offset the $64 million it will cost the water system to help with the infrastructure of the Lowcountry Rapid Transit system, a project to bring a new transportation system to the area for people traveling on buses, on foot and on bikes. The project is estimated to be completed by 2029.

Officials say the anticipated three percent hike is a minimum amount and will last until 2056, with customers paying that additional amount every year.

Charleston Water System spokesman Mike Saia says it’s an unfortunate reality that comes at the cost of residents.

“The folks who pay our bills are ultimately going to have to pay back the roughly $64 million it’s going to cost to simply move our water mains out of the way of this project,” he said.

To complete the project, the water system must relocate primary lines that supply water to the peninsula, even though water officials say they are fully functioning.

“Rapid transit is a wonderful project, but the problem is they want to put storm water drains in the ground exactly where our water mains are, so we have to move roughly 21 miles of water mains,” Saia said.

Water officials say the exact rate will be decided at the company’s Board of Commissioners meeting this November.

The average City of Charleston resident paid $25.40 for a monthly water service charge in 2024, according to the South Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority. The three percent rate increase will add about 80 cents to water bills over 30 years.

Saia says the water system has a lot of customers who are already struggling to pay their bills and recognizes the rate increase will only make things worse for them.

“They currently shut off about 200 people every single day for non-payment, and this just makes it a lot harder on those folks who are struggling to pay their bill,” Saia said.

David Horrey recently moved to downtown Charleston from North Charleston and already saw an increase in his water bill. Although he is OK with the current rates, he fears the potential 10% increase will be tough to sustain on top of rent and other utilities.

“If the rate continues to increase, I’m going to look for a place in the country,” Horrey said. “I have family in the country. It’s better than decreasing your hygiene to save water.”

Officials recommend residents plan and budget ahead of the hikes.

Water customers can use the Charleston Water Systems tool to calculate their water bills.

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