Fall River City Council votes to keep water and sewer rates the same after Ponte motion

Fall River residents spoke, and the City Council listened.

City water rates will remain $4.24 per 100 cubic feet and sewer rates will remain $8.11 per 100 cubic feet in the fiscal 2026 budget.

Residents have been showing up at meetings for several months to speak at citizens input against water and sewer rate increases. Many asking for a break and stating they can’t afford anymore increases.

At Monday’s special meeting for the City Council, Councilor Cliff Ponte made a motion that in effect keeps the rates the same.

The motion initially failed 4-5, however, after discussion, the motion was reconsidered and passed unanimously.

$832,000 of sewer appropriations and $527,000 of water appropriations will now be passed to the general budget to keep the water and sewer rates the same as fiscal year 2025.