Prospect of rising water bills worries Taylor residents
As Taylor lifts its Stage 2 water restrictions, relief for residents is overshadowed by mounting concerns over rising water bills.
For resident Daniel Reyes, who recently received a $265 notice, the question of affordability looms large.
“This has to stop,” Reyes insisted, echoing a sentiment shared by many in the community.
The city, in its efforts to attract new businesses with generous tax breaks, faces scrutiny from residents who wonder if the cost of economic development is being passed on to them.
“What happened to companies paying their fair share?” asked Matt Eiben, another frustrated Taylor resident. “While homeowners’ foot the bill, thanks for stealing our money.”
As Taylor’s economic landscape evolves with the arrival of companies such as Samsung Austin Semiconductor, Soulbrain, new tech parks and a data center, officials with the municipality warn that water rates will continue to rise over the next five years to address its aging infrastructure.
This financial strain raises broader questions about how the city balances growth with the needs of its existing residents — an issue that’s quickly becoming a focal point for community debate.
CONCERNSOVERWATERSUPPLY
As Taylor’s costs continue to rise, fears about the city’s water supply remain front and center. The recent implementation of Stage 2 water restrictions acted as a proactive measure to manage limited resources, highlighting the broader challenge of Taylor’s reliance on the Brazos Valley Water Authority as its only source of water.
Brad Brunett, the authority’s central and lower basin regional manager, acknowledged these concerns, noting the growing strain on the system due to increased demand.
“We plan to expand our water plant from 14 million to nearly 30 million gallons per day within the next five years,” Brunett said, highlighting the substantial investment this will require. He also noted that rising operational costs will be a shared burden for both the water authority and consumers, likely resulting in higher service rates.
INFRASTRUCTUREINVESTMENTS
In response to these higher demands, BVWA has rolled out a series of ambitious projects.
One key initiative involves drilling a new well into the Trinity Aquifer, expected to boost the system’s capacity by 1.5 million gallons per day by 2026. Complementing this effort, a planned pipeline expansion is set to provide much-needed system redundancy and a dedicated water line for Taylor, slated for completion in 2027.
By 2028, the authority aims to finalize the expansion of its treatment plant, increasing its daily capacity by an additional 10 million gallons.
Meanwhile, the city of Taylor is also stepping up to address its infrastructure challenges head-on. This July, city officials unveiled a comprehensive five-year capital improvement plan focused on water and wastewater upgrades. The plan proposes an investment of more than $51 million over the next five years, leveraging a blend of grants, cash reserves and debt financing.
Looking further ahead, the city has identified another $64 million in projects deemed essential for meeting future needs, including recycling efforts and the potential use of a dormant well currently being used by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to draw yearly samples.
ECONOMICDEVELOPMENT ANDWATERMANAGEMENT
In step with infrastructure upgrades, Taylor’s Economic Development Corp. recently committed over $8 million to enhance the city’s water and wastewater capacity.
“The EDC’s investment is pivotal for sustaining our growth strategy,” said Ben White, CEO of the Taylor EDC. “While we aim to attract high-quality companies to Taylor, we must also ensure our infrastructure can support them without overburdening our residents.”
Despite this investment, Taylor’s water and wastewater systems remain among the oldest in the region, according to the city, often patched together in response to financial limitations.
“You can only kick the can down the road so many times before it disintegrates into a pile of rust,” said Daniel Seguin, Taylor’s communications director. “We now face the challenge of making significant investments in our infrastructure, including water, wastewater, streets, parks and facilities.”
TAXINCENTIVESAND RESIDENTIMPACT
City officials emphasize the propertytax incentives offered to attract large companies to Taylor are not just about bringing in new businesses; they are about strategically easing the financial burden on residents.
By encouraging investments from businesses, the city hopes to boost economic growth, which in turn can translate into enhanced services such as improved streets and upgraded infrastructure.
These companies contribute to the local economy, not only through property taxes but also through sales-and-use taxes. The goal is straightforward: By luring businesses to Taylor, the city can secure a revenue stream, reducing long-term costs for homeowners while driving infrastructure improvements.
Businesses with higher water demands are subject to elevated rates based on a tiered structure, while even lower-demand users contribute to a more balanced cost distribution, officials said.
“If we imagine a world without multibillion-dollar investments from private companies in Taylor, we would face a fiscal crisis ahead,” Seguin said.
To illustrate the impact, city officials shared a hypothetical scenario: A $1 billion investment in Taylor, with a 30% propertytax abatement and a 30% use-tax rebate, could generate about $43.4 million in revenue over a decade.
RESIDENTS’ EXPERIENCES WITHWATERBILLS
Taylor resident Channing Kingery-Boles manages four separate water bills each month. Although her costs have remained relatively stable due to her conservative water use — no lawn watering, car washing or gardening — she’s still concerned about the city’s future water supply.
“(The bills are) all due around the same time and have stayed relatively stable, which makes it easier to budget,” Kingery-Boles said. “I use very little water beyond basic needs, so for me, the costs have been manageable.”
Despite her efforts to conserve, Kingery-Boles worries about what impact new developments like tech parks and data centers might have on the availability of water for residents and businesses.
“I’m concerned about how these developments will affect the local water supply,” she said. “I hope the city has longterm plans to ensure there’s enough water for everyone.”
Looking ahead, she’s considering practical conservation measures for her home and businesses, such as rainwatercollection
systems.
Kingery-Boles’ concerns mirror those of many in the community, who fear that Taylor’s rapid growth may outpace its ability to provide a sufficient water supply.
She emphasized the need for ongoing studies on water sustainability, quality and availability as the city continues to expand.
You can only kick the can down the road so many times before it disintegrates into a pile of rust.”
— DANIEL SEGUIN TAYLOR SPOKESMAN
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