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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 collections 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
- Rate schedule effective July 1, 2022
- Sample bill amounts based on sample consumption 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.
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Consumption Rates | MWRD 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 rates have not changed. Residential customers using 5/8” meters will pay the same amount this year as last for their combined water and wastewater usage. Our water consumption rate is $3.66 per 1000 gallons. This rate correlates to our old rate of $2.74 per 100 cubic feet. Our wastewater treatment rate is $5.67 per 1000 gallons. This rate correlates to the combined former rates of $3.34 wastewater and $.90 O&M fee per 100 Cubic feet. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of Service Study | On 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 Fees | See Annual Testing and Inspection Fees | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Industrial Customers Fees | Industries 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 |
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Sanitary Sewer Tap Program | See Sanitary Sewer Tap Program | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stormwater User Fees | See Stormwater User Fee | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Summer Sewer Credit | MWRD 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. |