Gilbert Residents Call For Attorney General Probe Amid 75% Water Rate Increase Controversy

Gilbert residents have raised serious concerns over rapidly increasing water bills, which have reportedly tripled or even quadrupled in recent years. Complaints include alleged systemic utility rate hikes, failures in the town’s water-metering system, and a lack of transparency, prompting calls for an investigation by the Arizona Attorney General’s Office. Town officials attribute the rate increases to necessary infrastructure improvements, such as upgrades to the North Water Treatment Plant and the addition of new wells, implemented alongside new water meters and a billing system update. However, residents and former council member Bill Spence have presented data suggesting that the actual rate increases may compound beyond the publicly announced percentages, potentially violating legal notice requirements. The town has initiated an audit of water meters and scheduled listening sessions to address community concerns, while some residents remain skeptical about the accuracy of new AMI smart meters supplied by Mueller, a company facing lawsuits over meter accuracy. This ongoing dispute highlights the tensions between funding essential water infrastructure and ensuring fair billing practices for residents.