Rates and Fees

Affordability

MWRD strives to keep our charges for water and wastewater under the federal EPA guidelines of 4% of federal low-income levels.

Fairness

MWRD recently installed new meters for our entire 26,000+ customers. The new meters are more accurate in measuring water flow, therefore ensuring that each customer pays for the correct amount of water consumed and wastewater treated.

Service Charges

MWRD maintains 441 miles of water distribution lines and 650 miles of wastewater collection lines for its customers. We charge a fixed minimum fee based on meter size to cover a portion of the costs for facilities and infrastructure necessary to provide drinking water to and collect wastewater from our customers.

Rate Schedule and Sample Bill Amounts

Water and Wastewater Connection Fees

Basic connection fees remained unchanged at $1,200 and $2,550 per single-family unit, respectively. Our latest Cost of Service Study calculated suggested water and wastewater connection fees of $1,700 and $3,300, respectively.

Wastewater Special Assessment Districts

MWRD has extended wastewater collection systems in several areas of the city in anticipation of growth. To recoup the costs of the expansions, MWRD charges a Sanitary Sewer Special Assessment District fee in addition to the standard connection fees. See the Assessment District map for related fees.

 More Rates & Fees
Consumption RatesMWRD charges for water used and wastewater treated. Wastewater consumption is based on water consumption as measured by the water meter. Beginning July 1, 2017, MWRD changed the measurement unit for billing consumption from cubic feet to gallons. 

Our water consumption rate is $3.66 per 1000 gallons. 

Our wastewater treatment rate is $5.50 per 1000 gallons. 

2023-24 Rate Schedule

2023-24 Sample Bill Amounts

Cost of Service StudyOn a biennial basis MWRD conducts a Cost of Service Study (COSS). The purpose of this study it to segregate utility costs between water and wastewater.  Necessary rates are then determined to cover appropriate costs. This ensures that water and wastewater fees and charges are adequate to cover their respective costs.  MWRD’s first COSS was completed in 2004, and has been updated in 2007, 2011, 2013 and 2015.
Cross Connection FeesSee Annual Testing and Inspection Fees
Industrial Customers FeesIndustries monitored under the pretreatment program are subject to surveillance fees and surcharges for excessive and extraordinary strength discharges. These fees shall be reviewed on an annual basis to reflect changes in operating costs.
Re-Purified Water Tap Fees
 Fees 1" Meter 2" Meter 3" Meter or Greater
Monthly Fee$5.00$10.00Priced as Needed
Stub Fee$365.00$500.00Priced as Needed
Meter Connection Fee$500.00$1,100.00Priced as Needed
Complete Tap Fee Stub + Meter Connection$1,100.00$1,850.00Priced as Needed
Out of City Fees$250.00 +
above fees		$250.00 +
above fees		Priced as Needed
Cost Benefits: Current MWRD Water Rate is $3.66 per 1,000 gallons. Rate for Re-purified Water is $0.067 per 1,000 gallons. 
Sanitary Sewer Tap ProgramSee Sanitary Sewer Tap Program
Stormwater User FeesSee Stormwater User Fee
Summer Sewer CreditMWRD understands that water consumption can increase during part of the year for irrigation purposes. Water used for irrigation purposes does not enter our wastewater collection/treatment system. To allow for excess water used during spring and summer months, we cap wastewater treatment at 120% of the average monthly consumption from the previous November through March.