Sewer Rate Calculations

Limit Water Use in Winter to Lower Your Sewer Cost in Summer!

To help both our local environment and your utility bill's bottom line, examine how you use water in your home. Be aware that your winter water usage determines your sewer charges, up to a limit, for the year. Each April, the City establishes your residential maximum sewer charge for the next 12 months, based on the 4 prior water bills. Use water wisely in winter. Your protective "upper limit" sewer charge, which is the most you will be charged in any month during the following 12 months, is set at your highest water usage level on bills dated December, January, February, and March.

Why the four winter months?

Typically, most customers use large amounts of water during the hot summer months - watering lawns and gardens, taking frequent showers, washing cars, and so on. Customers usually reduce their water usage in winter. So to establish your Sewer Maximum, the City uses the winter months when your water use should be a good deal less than in summer.

When should I start being careful with my Fall water usage?

In November! If you want to be extra careful, begin using caution with your water usage 35 days before the date of your December bill. To check on the date of your December bill, open your Customer Self Service portal, click on “Billing”, then click on “View all bills”. The date of your bill last December will be the same or within 1-2 days of the date of your next December bill. Sometimes a 1-or 2-day difference exists because bills are not dated on weekends.