Phased Approach to Aid in Transition

To assist our customers in the transition to new rates and in recognition of the hardships that COVID-19 has created, BWP is adopting a phased approach to rate increases.

Electric rate increases will occur in October 2021 and April 2022. Water rates will increase in three phases - October 2021, January 2022, and April 2022.

Rate Increase Impact on the Average Customer Bill

This rate change, along with the City’s recommendation for a refuse collection fee increase of approximately $0.66 per month for the typical medium-sized family home, will mean the average Burbank apartment or condominium resident would pay approximately an additional $4.44 per month, while an average Burbank single family home would pay approximately an additional $6.91 per month.

Securing a Future with Reliable, Affordable, and Sustainable Services

A phased increase of water and electric rates with full implementation in 2022.

Why is the Rate Increase Needed?

Maintain Reliability
As our infrastructure ages, it will become increasingly difficult to maintain our award-winning reliability.

Update Aging Infrastructure
Burbank’s Valley Pumping Plant is running today with pumps that were installed during World War II in the 1940s. After 75 years this machinery must begin to be replaced before it fails or causes damage to other systems.

30 miles of water pipes are 90-year-old cast iron pipes which only get more brittle with age. That will double to 60 miles in 10 years creating scenarios for water main breaks and service interruptions.

Supporting a GHG-Free Future
BWP is driving towards a greenhouse gas–free electric generation by 2040 as mandated by the State of California. This transition to greenhouse gas–free energy will take time, effort, and a lot of planning if we are to continue providing services that are reliable, affordable, and sustainable.

What Customers Can Expect

When You Need Us, BWP is “Always There for You!”

For more than 100 years, Burbank Water and Power (BWP) has been providing reliable, affordable, and sustainable services to residents throughout the City of Burbank. Our customers benefit from receiving electric and water services that are at the top of the nation for reliability and enjoy rates more affordable than many other municipal-owned utilities in Southern California.

Maintaining High Reliability for Our Customers

High reliability means fewer interruptions in electric and water services for our customers. In fact, customers in 2019 experienced less than five minutes of power outages. By contrast, the average electric customer across the U.S. sat in the dark for nearly five hours. And In 2020, only 0.5% of BWP water customers experienced a supply interruption, which averaged only 8 minutes.

In order to maintain our impeccable record of reliability and sustainability for our customers, BWP must replace and repair aging infrastructure as well as provide a sustainable future for our next generation of Burbank residents.

Aging Infrastructure and the Cost of Repairs

Investments in our infrastructure today will ensure clean water flows from the tap and electricity is available to power air conditioning during the hottest days of summer and lights on the darkest days of winter. Additionally, it is more cost-effective to conduct maintenance and planned upgrades rather than endure large-scale service interruptions such as water main breaks and failures in the electric distribution infrastructure.

Financial Resources Available

We understand that there are tremendous economic constraints for many in our community that have been exacerbated by the pandemic. BWP continues to support our community through several assistance programs including the Lifeline Program for income-qualified seniors older than 62 or income-qualified individuals who are permanently disabled as well as the COVID-19 Job Loss Bill Credit Program.

Foundation for the Future

BWP is committed to maintaining its hallmark of fiscal responsibility as we move forward together. We want to deliver reliable, affordable, and sustainable service for today and also for future generations. We are thankful for our customers’ support and confidence in us.

While the additional funding from these rate changes will allow us to make much-needed investments in our aging infrastructure and move us toward a more sustainable energy future, we know that additional and significant challenges will remain. The evolution of our water and energy systems will continue requiring further investments and enhancements to meet our customers’ needs.

Have a Question?

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