In a 4-1 vote at Tuesday’s council meeting, Hammond officials ended the long-standing 2,000-gallon minimum water service charge. Residents will now be charged strictly according to the amount of water they consume.
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Policy Analysis
Hammond Council: No more minimum water charge
Photo by Hammondstar
Key Takeaways:
- The Hammond City Council voted 4-1 to remove a 2,000-gallon baseline for water billing.
- The decision was made at Tuesday’s city council meeting.
- Residents will now have billing based solely on actual water usage.
- The article was originally published on February 12, 2026.
- The source of this news is Hammondstar.
Policy Shift Announced
Hammond residents received an important municipal update this week. At Tuesday’s city council meeting, members voted 4-1 to remove the 2,000-gallon minimum water service charge, a guideline that had been in place for some time.
The 4-1 Vote
The council’s vote took shape after a brief discussion that underscored changing priorities on how local residents will be billed for water usage. While four council members stood behind ending the minimum charge, one voted against the measure.
Ending the 2,000-Gallon Minimum
Previously, customers were charged for at least 2,000 gallons of water each billing cycle, regardless of actual usage. This policy often impacted residents who tended to use less than that threshold. Now, they will only be charged for the water they use.
Community Response
Though the details of community reactions were not included in the initial report, the policy shift has the potential to benefit those who consume low amounts of water each month. Local households could see more precise charges that match their actual consumption.
Looking Ahead
Hammondstar first published details of this decision on February 12, 2026, highlighting its significance for the city’s budgeting and everyday life. By removing the 2,000-gallon minimum, officials hope local water billing will be more equitable and transparent moving forward.
