Longview Approves Water and Sewer Rate Hikes

City leaders cite infrastructure needs as reason for 4% water and 5% sewer rate increases.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Longview City Council has voted to raise water rates by 4% and sewer rates by 5%, citing the need to address a backlog of infrastructure improvements in the city. Officials say one factor driving up costs is the amount of rainwater that seeps into the city's sewer system.

Why it matters

Raising utility rates can be a sensitive issue for residents, but Longview leaders argue the increases are necessary to fund critical infrastructure upgrades and maintenance. As cities across the country grapple with aging water and sewer systems, Longview's rate hikes reflect a broader trend of municipalities having to raise prices to pay for these improvements.

The details

The Longview City Council voted to increase water rates by 4% and sewer rates by 5% during a meeting on Thursday. City leaders cited the need to address a backlog of infrastructure projects, including addressing the issue of rainwater infiltrating the sewer system, as a key driver behind the rate hikes that outpaced the current rate of inflation.

  • The Longview City Council approved the rate increases on February 16, 2026.

The players

Longview City Council

The governing body of the city of Longview, Washington that voted to raise water and sewer rates.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

Longview's rate hikes reflect the difficult choices many cities face in raising utility prices to fund critical infrastructure upgrades, even as those increases can be unpopular with residents. As cities nationwide grapple with aging water and sewer systems, more rate increases may be on the horizon.