The Greer CPW Board of Commissioners approved the 2026 fiscal year budget and capital improvement plan, increasing their rates for the first time in eight years.
The final approval of the budget and rate increases came at the Commission’s regular meeting on Monday, Oct. 27. All three commissioners motioned to approve the budget. Representatives from the Commission say that water and wastewater costs will be marginally affected, while electric and natural gas rates will remain the same.
“We’ve fought inflation and rising supply costs for more than eight years while continuing to maintain some of the lowest utility rates in the area,” said Gene Gibson, Greer CPW Chairman. “While a rate modification is never easy, I appreciate staff maintaining a lean budget year after year while providing affordable utilities and continuing to invest in our infrastructure.”
According to the Commission, the adjustment is to help cover rising supply costs, keep up with increasing demand for services and maintain reliable utility services. For example, over the last eight years, costs for a standard fire hydrant have risen 147%, and water treatment chemicals have risen 442% since 2017.
The following changes will be reflected in the facilities charge for Greer CPW water and wastewater customers starting Jan. 1, 2026:
Water:
All customers residing inside the City of Greer with a standard water meter will see an additional $0.25 per month added to their facilities charge for each water meter.
All customers residing outside of the City of Greer with a standard water meter will see an additional $0.35 per month added to their facilities charge for each water meter.
Wastewater:
All customers residing inside the City of Greer municipal boundaries will see an additional $1.27 per month added to their facilities charge.
All customers residing outside the City of Greer municipal boundaries will see an additional $1.60 or $1.77 per month added to their facilities charge, depending on whether their wastewater is treated by ReWa.
Larger commercial and industrial customers will see additional facilities charges in both water and wastewater based on their meter size. Updated rate tables can be viewed here.
Despite the changes, Greer CPW says that they continue to offer some of the lowest rates in the region. In addition to the rate adjustments, the $127 million budget approved on Monday includes several major capital improvement projects:
Finalizing the Maple Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant headworks project to increase intake capacity and improve efficiency at the plant.
Rehabilitating and replacing parts of the wastewater treatment collection system.
8” waterline extension on E. Poinsett Street and waterline replacements throughout the system.
Installing self-healing grids in parts of the electric system that help detect and prevent power outages.
Rebuilding natural gas equipment and extending gas lines in the Lyman area and on Highway 414
For more information on Greer CPW, visit their website.
Editor’s Note: The second paragraph of this story was updated on Oct. 31 to reflect which of the Greer CPW commissioners voted to approve the 2026 budget.
