Developers to pay maximum allowable water, wastewater impact fees in New Braunfels

A comprehensive review of New Braunfels Utilities' water and wastewater impact fees began in early February and was approved by the New Braunfels City Council on Nov. 14.
(Courtesy New Braunfels Utilities)

Community Impact
By Sierra Martin 
2:27 PM Dec 14, 2022 CST

The New Braunfels City Council approved the maximum allowable impact fees after a review of New Braunfels Utilities' water and wastewater impact fees.

Impact fees are allowed by the Local Government Code to provide a mechanism for new development to pay for its impact on water and wastewater systems, according to NBU.

The fees are calculated based on a 10-year capital improvements plan, land-use assumptions, population projections and per capita use. They are updated about every five years, but updates may be initiated when the entity charging the impact fees believes it is necessary.

"The impact fee provides a mechanism for new growth to pay for new growth and its impact on the water and wastewater system, and keeps current customers from bearing the cost of infrastructure that serves that growth,” NBU CEO Ian Taylor said.

The New Braunfels City Council approved maximum impact fees on Nov. 14 for a residential 5/8-inch meter at $19,448 per living unit equivalent, or LUE, for water and $6,44 per LUE for wastewater.

By Sierra Martin - Sierra joined Community Impact Newspaper as a reporter in July 2022 after graduating with a degree in journalism from Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. She covers education, local government, transportation, business and real estate development in the New Braunfels community. Prior to CI, Sierra served as the Managing Editor of San Marcos Corridor News and spent time as a Senior Reporter for the University Star. When she is not writing, she enjoys reading and traveling.