Proposed Big Bend Water Rate Increase

Ensuring sustainable and reliable water delivery throughout Laughlin requires continued investment to maintain, repair, and upgrade the community’s water infrastructure.

While Laughlin's water system is reliable, some facilities and equipment required for the treatment and delivery of the community’s drinking water are reaching the end of their service life. As a result, the Big Bend Water District (BBWD) identified approximately $9.7 million in water system improvements that will be required over the next decade to continue protecting the long-term sustainability of the community’s water treatment and distribution system.

The BBWD is proposing a water rate increase to fund necessary system improvements. In addition to funding the necessary system improvements, the rate increase will help generate funding reserves needed to address unexpected future costs such as water main breaks or other water-related emergencies within the community.

Funding System Improvements

The necessary water system improvements include replacement, refurbishment and upgrades to the water treatment and water distribution facilities listed below.

Proposed Rate Increase Options

While Laughlin's current water system complies with all state regulations, additional water storage tanks will be required in the future to meet revised regulatory standards and support future growth and development.

The BBWD has applied for state and federal funding to develop a new water storage tank to help meet revised regulatory standards in the future; however, approval of those funding requests remains uncertain.

Typically, developers – not existing customers – pay all costs to expand the water system and construct the water facilities necessary to serve new customers. This includes developer-related costs for constructing pipelines, hydrants, pumping facilities, and water storage tanks. However, local developers’ efforts to secure funding for a new tank to support new development has been a challenge.

Because of these funding challenges, the BBWD has included a rate option below that includes funding a new storage tank through a water rate increase. It is important to note that the BBWD is not advocating for or against this funding approach for the storage tank. This is an optional funding scenario for the community to consider.

BBWD staff prepared water bills of sample customers to evaluate how different Laughlin businesses would be affected by the proposed rate changes. View the sample customers.

System Development Approval Fees

Developer fees for new water service connections have not changed in more than 20 years. The BBWD is proposing an increase to these fees to keep pace with inflation.

Public Comment

The public comment period ended on August 31, 2025. The next public comment opportunities for residents will be at the public hearing at the Big Bend Water District Board of Trustees meeting on December 2, 2025.