Rate Study

Poster Boards

Calistoga Utility Open House Poster Boards 1/15/2026(PDF, 152MB)

Calistoga Utility Open House Stations

Calistoga-Open-House-Handout.pdf(PDF, 738KB)

Utility-Open-House_Event-Plan.pdf(PDF, 1MB)

The People Behind Your Utilities 

Frequent Asked Questions

FAQ_Compiled-Version-Combined-Updated-010826.pdf(PDF, 399KB)

Calistoga Utility Open House Poster Boards 8/24/2023(PDF, 2MB)

Calistoga Utility Open House Poster Boards 10/05/2022(PDF, 1MB)

In 2022–2023, the City of Calistoga completed a comprehensive water and wastewater rate study to evaluate the fairness and adequacy of existing rates in covering the true cost of service. The process concluded with a public hearing on December 5, 2023, and City Council adoption of new rates effective March 1, 2024.

At that time, the study found that the City’s costs to operate, maintain, repair, and replace critical infrastructure—such as pipes, pumps, treatment systems, and other essential facilities—were continuing to rise. The adopted rate adjustments were designed to ensure that the water and wastewater utilities generated sufficient revenue to meet operating and capital needs, maintain reliable service, and remain consistent with industry standards.

In accordance with Article XIII-D, Section 6 of the California Constitution (“Proposition 218”), the City mailed a Public Hearing Notice—available below—to all property owners of record and water and wastewater utility customers.

A public hearing was held on December 5, 2023, where the City Council received and considered oral and written testimony regarding the proposed rate adjustments. Following the hearing, the Council adopted new water and wastewater rates effective March 1, 2024, with scheduled annual adjustments beginning January 1, 2025 through January 1, 2028.

For complete information about public participation and the protest process used during the 2022–2023 rate study, please refer to the mailed Notice below.

• 2023 Proposition 218 Notice in English and Spanish(PDF, 939KB)
• 2023 Cost of Service Rate Study Report(PDF, 2MB)

To keep pace with inflation and rising costs of providing safe, reliable water and sewer services, the City of Calistoga has been conducting comprehensive utility rates studies of its water and wastewater (sewer) services. Financial consultants and City staff have been working diligently on a series of steps involving data evaluation and technical analyses to derive customer rates while considering customer impacts of any rate modifications. The goal of the rates studies is to ensure that the rates customers pay for water and sewer services are:

• Fair, equitable, and aligned with community values and priorities
• Sufficient to ensure the continued financial viability of City utilities
• Sufficient to enable critical maintenance and infrastructure investment to continue high levels of service while complying with ever more stringent regulatory requirements
• Aligned with best practices and in accordance with state law

Quick Video about Calistoga’s Current Rate Study

2022-2023 Rates Studies City Council Meetings and Community Information Sessions (Historical Information)

• Public Hearing – 6 pm Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023 
• City Council Meeting – October 3, 2023
• City Council Meeting – Item 8.1
• Second Community Open House, August 24, 2023(PDF, 2MB)
• City Council Meeting – Item 8.2
• October 20, 2022 - Prepared and published Frequently Asked Questions(PDF, 213KB)
• First Community Open House, October 5, 2022 Event Flier(PDF, 1MB)