Customers of the Harlingen Waterworks System could soon see higher bills after one more vote from city commissioners.

If the increase passes, customers will pay more based on how much water they use. For most people, the charge would go from $9.91 to $12.39.

The minimum wastewater charge would go from $7.73 to $9.66.

Harlingen Waterworks says it delayed rate increases for nearly two years but now needs the money for upcoming major projects.

"That's to the tune of about $109 million of work that we're going to do in the next 18 to 24 months," Harlingen Waterworks System General Manager Roy Rodriguez said. "So in order to do that, we need both cash to start the projects and we also need money to pay debt because we're having to borrow money in order to do these major improvements."

Those projects include work to increase capacity at the wastewater plant, replace a major wastewater line, and replace a lift station in north Harlingen.

City commissioners are expected to take a final vote at the next city commissioners' meeting. If approved, the new rates would take effect Oct. 1, 2026.