Forney Utility Bills Changed in October. Here Is What to Check.
Forney explains higher water and sewer rates, a new residential sewer formula, a $19 sewer service charge and a $2 EMS fee. The sewer cap is not a cap on the whole bill.
Representative kitchen-sink photo, not a pictured Forney home or utility facility. Photo: Alex Tyson / Unsplash. Free under the Unsplash License.
FORNEY, Texas - If your city utility bill looks different, the City of Forney has published an explanation of rate and billing changes following water and sewer rate increases that took effect Oct. 1, 2026. The changes cover water, sewer, garbage and recycling, plus a new emergency medical services administration fee.
The city's Nov. 11 notice says water rates rose 8.7%, sewer rates rose 9.9% and residential garbage and recycling rates increased 5%. The monthly sewer service charge also went from $18 to $19.
Residential sewer billing no longer uses winter averaging
For residential customers, the city says a tiered structure based on actual monthly water use has replaced winter sewer averaging. Billable residential sewer usage is capped at 7,200 gallons. That cap does not apply to your water usage or to the entire utility bill.
The current rate table lists a regular residential sewer base charge of $43.85 for the first 2,000 gallons and $13.54 per 1,000 gallons from 2,001 through 7,200. The city's notice puts the maximum usage-based monthly sewer charge at $114.26, or $105.87 for seniors.
Important fine print: the rate table lists the $19 monthly sewer service charge separately. Water charges, refuse and recycling, and the EMS administration fee are separate too. Do not read the $114.26 figure as the most you can owe on the whole bill.
What the other lines mean
- Water: the regular residential base rate is $25.25 for up to 2,000 gallons. The next tier, 2,001 through 15,000 gallons, is $8.14 per 1,000 gallons; the rate for 15,001 gallons and above is $10.19 per 1,000 gallons.
- Refuse and recycling: the listed residential monthly rate is $18.30, or $16.77 for senior residential accounts.
- EMS administration: a $2 monthly fee covers the city's administrative work connected with its third-party emergency medical services agreement, according to the city. It is a utility-bill fee, not a charge described as depending on an ambulance trip.
Why the city says costs are rising
Forney buys water and wastewater treatment services from the North Texas Municipal Water District. The city attributes the changes to regional infrastructure needs and says the extra $1 sewer service charge helps fund the Buffalo Creek interceptor, a major sewer pipeline. It describes the garbage and recycling increase as an annual adjustment under its Community Waste Disposal contract.
What to do before comparing bills
Compare both the gallons used and the individual charges. Because residential sewer billing is now tied to the month's water use, the rate increase alone does not explain every difference from an older bill.
Residents turning 65 may qualify for discounted water, sewer and trash rates. The city asks customers to provide proof of age to have the senior rate applied to a residential account.
These are City of Forney utility rates, not a promise about every provider serving a Forney mailing address. Check the provider named on your bill.
Sources: City of Forney's Nov. 11 explanation and current city utility rate table. Rates and billing details checked Nov. 13, 2026.
