Municipal solid waste

Houston Public Works is reporting major improvements in solid waste collection, with garbage now picked up on time 99% of the time and recycling at 98%, as of September. Director Randy Macchi said the city's new administrative trash fee, which brings in roughly $24 million against a $140 million solid waste operation, is only a small part of the turnaround. He credited operational changes, including route and staffing reviews and use of truck-mounted cameras to monitor pickups in real time.

Heavy trash collection remains the department's weak spot, improving from an 11% to a 41% on-time rate but still far short of the 99% target. Since reorganizing, the department has completed only one full heavy trash cycle, in August; pickups occur every other month. Illegal dumping also remains a persistent issue, with 3-1-1 complaint volume holding steady. Macchi said the department is reviewing contract capacity, routes, and fleet availability to close the gap, framing the progress as part of Mayor John Whitmire's push to fix the city's waste system.

Houston residents seeing higher water bills are being urged to determine whether the increase stems from policy changes or a possible leak. City Controller Chris Hollins said the city is now diverting roughly $200 million a year from the water fund to cover trash collection and public safety costs, a shift expected to push water rates higher over time. Separately, the city's newly approved budget introduced a $5 monthly solid waste fee, marking the first time Houston has charged separately for garbage service rather than folding it into property taxes.

Hollins advised residents to compare current and past usage on their bills, check meters for signs of leaks by shutting off all water and watching for movement, and document any issues before contacting 311. He also cautioned against withholding payment during a billing dispute, recommending residents keep paying their normal amount and seek a payment plan if costs become unaffordable, rather than letting balances accumulate.

S&P Global has revised its outlook on Houston's Combined Utility System (CUS) from stable to negative, while affirming its AA+ credit rating. The change follows a city decision to shift the Waste and Recycling budget from the general fund into CUS, a move that stabilized Houston's general fund outlook but added financial strain to the utility system. S&P said it will watch how the city plans to raise revenue to cover the added costs.

Houston has already introduced a $5 monthly waste and recycling fee on water bills, which could climb to $25 per month over six years, drawing resident criticism. S&P expects water and sewer rates to rise further as the city pursues a large capital plan requiring significant debt or cash funding. A downgrade isn't imminent, but officials warn one could raise borrowing costs. Mayor John Whitmire said the city plans to meet with S&P again in January to address the utility fund's finances.