BEDFORD- Starting June 20, 2025, Bedford residents will notice a new line item on their City Utilities water bills, a monthly fee to fund public fire protection infrastructure. The fee was approved by the Bedford City Council on April 15, 2025, and is part of a broader effort to update and equitably fund essential city services.
The newly implemented “Public Fire Protection” fee will cover the cost of the water infrastructure necessary for fire suppression, such as hydrants, water mains, and water pressure systems. It will not be used to fund the Bedford Fire Department’s operations or personnel.
In past years, these infrastructure costs were paid for through property taxes, placing the financial burden solely on property owners. Under the new system, the fee is added to the water bills of all users, including renters and nonprofit entities.
The monthly fee will be based on the size of a customer’s water meter. Most residential users with 5/8-inch meters will pay $4.75 per month. Larger meters, typically used in commercial and industrial settings, will see higher fees of up to $1,020.05 for a 12-inch meter.
Monthly Charges by Meter Size
| Meter Size | Monthly Charge |
| 5/8″ | $4.75 |
| 3/4″ | $7.12 |
| 1″ | $11.85 |
| 1 1/2″ | $23.73 |
| 2″ | $37.95 |
| 3″ | $71.16 |
| 4″ | $118.60 |
| 6″ | $237.23 |
| 8″ | $379.55 |
| 10″ | $616.77 |
| 12″ | $1,020.05 |
The charge will appear as a separate line item labeled “Public Fire Protection” starting with the June 20 billing cycle.
The city clarified several commonly asked questions regarding the new fee. Customers with multiple meters will be charged separately for each meter, except for irrigation-only meters, which are exempt. The fee will still be applied to vacant properties, as public fire protection remains available regardless of occupancy.
Shifting from a property-tax model to a user-based fee system also ensures that tax-exempt organizations such as churches and nonprofits contribute to the cost of maintaining fire protection infrastructure.
For additional details, residents are encouraged to visit the City of Bedford Utilities website or contact City Hall.
