Solid Waste Charges on COA Water Bills

An editorial by AMNA Member Jennifer Govea

Editorials by our members do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the AMNA Board.

Hi, my name is Jennifer and my family has lived in Anderson Mill for over 25 years and I love this neighborhood. Many Anderson Mill residents may have noticed a “Solid Waste” charge appearing on their City of Austin (COA) water bills over the past several months. This article summarizes what I’ve learned so far, actions taken, and what you should watch for on your own bill.

How the Issue Was Identified

In December 2025, while reviewing a monthly water bill, not understanding why my bill has stayed so high for several months, I noticed a recurring Solid Waste fee of $25.77. Upon further review of past billing statements, it became clear that this charge had begun appearing as early as February 2025. This immediately raised concerns, as Anderson Mill residents do not receive solid waste services from the City of Austin.

Prior to 2025, nor since annexation in 2008 and before, no such charge existed on COA water bills for residents in our community.

Initial Call to COA

A call to COA customer service revealed that the charge was associated with bulky and brush item pickup. I explained that Anderson Mill residents have never been charged this fee and solid waste services are provided by an independent contractor other than COA. I also explained that Anderson Mill residents have never gotten their solid waste services from COA. The initial customer service representative was unable to remove the charge.

What Neighbors Were Seeing

Discussions with neighbors revealed that this issue is not isolated:

• Several Anderson Mill residents reported similar discrepancies.
• Most neighbors were being charged only $5.15 to $5.77, rather than the much higher $25+ fee my household was being charged.
• One neighbor’s December 2025 bill was nearly identical—except for the Solid Waste charge.

This inconsistency raised questions about why some residents were being charged substantially more than others for a service they do not receive.

Additional Follow-up with COA

After learning of the solid waste fee discrepancy with neighbors, a second call was placed to COA on January 5, 2026. Interestingly, they asked if we had a recycling cart from COA. As mentioned above we have never gotten solid waste or recycling from the COA. This was very concerning and resulted in the issue being escalated to the Solid Waste division of COA. At that time, I was told to expect a response within 3–5 business days.

Community Action and AMLD Involvement

An email notification was sent to AMLD (Anderson Mill Limited District) of the situation, and they confirmed they were aware of the issue. AMLD has stated that they are escalating concerns through the COA council representative.

I also attended the January 8, 2026, AMLD Board meeting to further express my concerns. One board member was visibly shocked at the amount my household was being charged. Board members assured me that they were in discussions with city representatives and would follow up.

Important Background Information

I also found a City of Austin notice from late 2024/early 2025 announcing that bulky item pickup would transition to an “on-demand” model. Previously, bulky pickup had been offered at no additional cost, you may have seen the periodic flyers as to when COA would be in the neighborhood for bulky pickup. Notably, the notice did not indicate that residents would be charged automatically or that fees would be applied to all residents whether they use the on-demand service or not.

Update After the AMLD Board Meeting

Following the AMLD board meeting on January 8, 2026, another call was placed to COA requesting a full audit of the account. Shortly afterward:

• COA representative confirmed that our account would be refunded $203.77, representing nearly all improperly charged fees.
• The $5.77 fee could not be removed, though COA acknowledged that many customers had called with the same concern.
• COA representative indicated that ongoing discussions are taking place with representatives from Anderson Mill.

What Residents Should Do Now

While the larger issue remains under review, residents are encouraged to:

• Review past and current COA water bills carefully.
• Confirm that any Solid Waste charge does not exceed approximately $5–6.
• If you see charges closer to $20–25 or higher, contact COA customer service and request an account audit.

We are all busy, and extra charges can easily go unnoticed. Staying informed and reviewing billing statements closely can help ensure accuracy while AMLD and community representatives work toward a long-term resolution.