How Increased Water Use Affects Your Bill
The volumetric rate for water is determined by how much water you use. This simple rate calculator (Excel spreadsheet template inside zip file) will help you determine how increased water use will affect your bill.
Residential Customers receive Seasonal Sewer Billing / Sprinkler Adjustments
Sewer charges are calculated based on the amount of water used under most circumstances. An exception is made for residential customers during the months of April through November, when water is used to sprinkle lawns or wash cars. Since water used for these purposes does not go into the sewer, sewer service charges for residential bills are automatically adjusted during these months to reflect a “sprinkler credit.” The winter quarter average (January, February, and March) plus 30 percent will be the maximum sewer charges billed.
A Large Percentage of Water Is Used for Irrigation
The average American family uses 320 gallons of water per day, about 30 percent of which is devoted to outdoor uses. More than half of that outdoor water is used for watering lawns and gardens. Nationwide, landscape irrigation is estimated to account for nearly one-third of all residential water use, totaling nearly 9 billion gallons per day. (Source: WaterSense: Outdoor Water Use in the United States)
Additional resources
About the new water and sewer rate structure
The new water and sewer rate structure follows an in-depth cost of service study based on industry standards and best practices and are designed to…
- Be Equitable – you pay for what it costs us to provide you service without subsidizing other customers
- Be Affordable – water needed for life is still provided at a low rate
- Encourage Wise Water Use – excessive water use is charged at a higher rate to encourage customers to conserve water
The structure includes multi-year rate increases from 2020-2024 to secure funding for critical water and sewer projects. Starting in 2025, customers will see a small increase in water and sewer rates each year to ensure future funding.
The new rate structure went into effect January 1, 2020 upon approval by Metro Council.
Rate Increases for 2020
For both water service and sewer service, customers’ bills include a fixed charge, a volumetric rate, and an Infrastructure Replacement fee.
Fixed Meter Charges
Fixed meter charges for both water and sewer service are determined by the size of your water meter. Fixed meter charges cover costs for readiness to serve and are the same for both residential and commercial customers.
Water and Sewer Rates by Meter Size
| Meter Size |
Water |
Sewer |
| 5/8-inch |
$5.09 |
$8.14 |
| 3/4-inch |
$12.12 |
$36.00 |
| 1-inch |
$15.28 |
$46.58 |
| 1.5-inch |
$26.85 |
$90.67 |
| 2-inch |
$37.91 |
$127.38 |
| 3-inch |
$60.58 |
$158.59 |
| 4-inch |
$137.72 |
$449.98 |
| 6-inch |
$171.93 |
$536.44 |
| 8 and 10-inch |
$223.72 |
$686.89 |
Volumetric (or usage) Rate
The volumetric rate for both water and sewer service is determined by how much water you use. Volumetric rates are different for residential and commercial customers.
Residential Water and Sewer Rates by Volume
| Residential Volumetric Rate |
Water |
Sewer |
| 0-2 CCF |
$0 |
$0 |
| 3-6 CCF |
$3.50 |
$5.85 |
| 7-10 CCF |
$4.20 |
$5.85 |
| 11+ CCF |
$5.25 |
$5.85 |
1 CCF = 100 Cubic Feet or 748 gallons.
Commercial Water and Sewer Rates by Volume
| Commercial Volumetric Rate |
Water |
Sewer |
| All usage |
$2.75 |
$5.85 |
Infrastructure Replacement Fees
The Water and Sewer Infrastructure Replacement fees create dedicated funding for replacing old infrastructure.
Water Infrastructure Replacement fee – will equal 10% of your water service charges (fixed charge plus usage).
Sewer Infrastructure Replacement fee – will equal 10% of your sewer service charges (fixed charge plus usage).