To ensure the continued delivery of reliable electric and water services to the Burbank community by investing in infrastructure and promoting long-term sustainability, beginning January 1, 2026, Burbank City Council has approved an electric system average rate increase of 9.9% and a water system average rate increase of 14%. An identical increase is approved for the following year to take effect on January 1, 2027.

The approved increase in rates reflects the rising costs of providing water and electric services and the need to create lasting transformations to make our infrastructure more reliable and sustainable moving forward.

We’re doing everything we can to minimize the impact on our community. That includes delaying the approved rate increase until January when water and energy usage is low, supporting our residents and businesses with efficiency and conservation programs, and offering financial assistance to those in need.

The chart below shows the impact that the approved January 1, 2026, rate increases would have on the average Burbank household.

• The cost of materials and goods continues to rise. This impacts everything BWP needs to provide reliable water and power services. Imported water—our sole supply—has become more expensive, and so have the transformers needed to safely power Burbank’s homes, businesses, and schools.

  
  
  "The price increases for components are equally concerning. In real terms, cable costs have nearly doubled since 2019 while power transformer prices have increased by around 75%." Learn More
  

• Our aging water infrastructure needs to be repaired. BWP maintains 276 miles of pipeline within our City, in addition to other critical components of our water delivery system. 30 miles of these pipes are 100-year-old cast iron pipes that will impact our reliability as they continue to deteriorate. To prevent potential breaks and water service interruptions, we need to replace them as quickly as possible. As an example of this aging infrastructure, we’ve experienced five main breaks in the first two months of 2025 alone and are operating a water reservoir built in 1932 at half capacity due to leaks and structural defects.
• Adapting to an increasingly electrified Burbank. This means investing in our electric distribution system to meet growing demand. As more residents adopt electric vehicles and transition to electric appliances, our infrastructure must keep pace. BWP is actively upgrading substations and transitioning power lines from 4kV to 12kV to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient electricity delivery. These necessary improvements come at a cost, but they are essential to supporting a sustainable and resilient energy future for our community.
• Securing long-term renewable energy contracts to meet regulatory requirements. The State of California requires that all service providers achieve greenhouse gas–free electric generation by 2045. To make it even more difficult, utilities across the country are racing to secure the same limited resources to meet their renewable energy goals. This change will take time, effort, and a lot of planning if we are to continue providing reliable, affordable, and sustainable services. We are 100% committed to meeting this goal – an investment that is costly, but well worth the benefits to our community if we are to continue providing reliable services.

You can read about complex issues such as transitioning Burbank to 100% renewable energy and the challenges of sourcing and delivering water to our community by reading BWP’s “Ask an Expert” article series. You can find every article here.

BWP takes changes to our rates very seriously, and we want to help.

As Burbank’s community-owned utility, our customers are our first priority. BWP offers a suite of money-saving programs and resources to help all customers, regardless of income level. Visit our Rebates and Incentives or Financial Help webpage to discover ways you can save.