Lancaster increases water and sewer rates for 2026

By Jack Waters
During their first meeting of 2026, the Lancaster City Council approved a water rate increase and highlighted the Liquor Store’s successful year.
The council discussed the need to increase the water and sewer rates, specifically because Kittson Marshall Water will increase its rates by 5% for 2026. Currently, the city charges a minimum of $72 per 1,000 units. They agreed a $2 increase, to a minimum of $74, would be reasonable.
City Clerk Janet Johnson suggested the rate increase to at least cover the difference in the charge from Kittson Marshall Water.
“It’s probably in our best interest to raise the water rate,” Johnson said.
The council approved raising the minimum water rate to $74 per thousand gallons, which is between a 2% and 3% increase.
Similarly, the council increased the base rate for sewer costs by $1, so each user will be charged $69 for the minimum usage.

To read the whole story, see the Jan. 21, 2026, edition of the Kittson County Enterprise