Lebanon, Tennessee, is preparing to vote on a proposed public utility rate increase after a multiyear study, with the first reading scheduled for the Nov. 17 City Council meeting; if approved twice, monthly bills would rise by $6.48 for water, $6.47 for sewer and $16.94 for natural gas, according to Lebanon Democrat.
The proposal comes as Lebanon considers how to cover operating costs, expand its water treatment plant and build a new wastewater treatment plant, making the vote relevant to plant managers and procurement leads monitoring municipal treatment funding and capacity planning, Lebanon Democrat reported on 14 November 2026.
Key takeaways
- Lebanon City Council is expected to hold the first reading on Nov. 17, with a special-called meeting set for Nov. 20 at 5 p.m. Lebanon Democrat
- If approved on two readings, monthly water bills would increase by $6.48 and sewer bills by $6.47. Lebanon Democrat
- Natural gas rates would take effect Dec. 1, followed by water and sewer rates on Jan. 1, 2027, with annual adjustments thereafter. Lebanon Democrat
- Mayor Rick Bell said proposed water and sewer revenue would help cover operating costs, expand the existing water treatment plant and build a new wastewater treatment plant. Lebanon Democrat
- The one-time water capacity charge would increase 18% to $2,970 per single-family unit, while the sewer charge would increase 83% to $8,274 per unit. Lebanon Democrat
What happened
The proposal follows a rate study presented by Raftelis during a Nov. 5 work session. The study put forward two options: an across-the-board usage increase with a larger initial adjustment for the gas department, or benchmarked rates aligned with regional utility providers Lebanon Democrat.
If the council approves the proposal on two readings, natural gas rates would begin Dec. 1, while water and sewer rates would take effect Jan. 1, 2027, followed by annual adjustments. Water and sewer rates have not increased since 2019, and natural gas rates have not changed since 2006 Lebanon Democrat.
Lebanon Mayor Rick Bell said the additional water and sewer revenue would help cover operating costs, expand the existing water treatment plant and construct a new wastewater treatment plant Lebanon Democrat. Bell also said the adjustment would restore utility reserves for repairs, equipment and emergencies, adding: “This adjustment will restore the utility’s reserves to a healthy level for repairs, equipment and emergencies” Lebanon Democrat.
The developer proposal would raise the one-time water capacity charge from $2,500 to $2,970 per single-family unit and the sewer charge from $4,500 to $8,274. Utilities Director Regina Santana said the proposed grandfather period for developments already approved is one year Lebanon Democrat.
Specification Read
The reported scale is financial rather than hydraulic: the source identifies monthly bill changes and capacity charges, but does not report wastewater flow in cubic metres per day, population-equivalent loading, BOD, COD, permit limits or plant-capacity values Lebanon Democrat. A conversion to m³/day or population equivalent therefore cannot be calculated from the supplied information.
For a municipal wastewater project of this type, the relevant treatment train would generally include screening, primary clarification, biological treatment such as A2O, MBBR, SBR or MBR, and tertiary treatment or disinfection where required; DAF, ZLD or other advanced treatment would depend on the discharge and reuse objectives Industries We Serve. The Lebanon proposal bears directly on the wastewater plant stage because Bell said the rate revenue would help build a new wastewater treatment plant, while the source does not identify the proposed process train or equipment package Lebanon Democrat.
If your plant inquiry involves a municipal wastewater expansion, an undefined flow in m³/day, undefined BOD/COD, an industrial wastewater application and pressure to establish reliable treatment and future capacity, this proposal matters because it identifies a potential funding route for a new plant rather than confirming a procurement package Lebanon Democrat. Municipal operators can also compare treatment approaches in our municipal wastewater solutions and MBR versus conventional activated sludge for petroleum wastewater resource Lebanon Democrat.
FAQ
How much would Lebanon’s monthly water and sewer bills increase?
If approved on two readings, monthly water bills would increase by $6.48 and sewer bills by $6.47. The first council reading is scheduled for Nov. 17, and a special-called meeting is set for Nov. 20 at 5 p.m. Lebanon Democrat
What capital projects could the proposed rates help fund?
Mayor Rick Bell said water and sewer revenue would help cover operating costs, expand the existing water treatment plant and build a new wastewater treatment plant. The report does not provide a total construction cost or procurement timetable for the wastewater project Lebanon Democrat.
When would the proposed rates take effect?
Natural gas rates would take effect Dec. 1, followed by water and sewer rates on Jan. 1, 2027, with annual adjustments thereafter if the proposal is approved on two readings. The source does not state when construction of the proposed wastewater treatment plant would begin Lebanon Democrat
How would development capacity charges change?
The proposed one-time water capacity charge would rise 18% from $2,500 to $2,970 per single-family unit, while sewer capacity would rise 83% from $4,500 to $8,274. Approved developments would have a proposed one-year grandfather period Lebanon Democrat.
