With current economic conditions affecting many of our customers, new rates would be held to the lowest level possible while providing sufficient funding for current and future operation and maintenance and capital improvement budgets.
The District’s rates currently are among the lowest in the region, and even with the proposed increases, the rates are expected to remain below average. Rates are designed to cover the actual cost of service.
Residential rates are a basic flat fee for each dwelling unit. Non-residential rates are based on water usage and a strength factor to calculate individual costs to treat wastewater.
Residential Rates
Each residential unit is charged the basic flat rate. This applies to single-family homes, apartments, condominiums and other multi-family dwellings, manufactured homes and mobile homes.
Proposed up to:
- 2015/16 – $748 per year ($62 per month). The amount approved on June 11, 2015 was $734 per year.
- 2016/17 – $835 per year ($70 per month), approved June 9, 2016.
- 2017/18 – $867 per year ($72 per month).
- 2018/19 – $898 per year ($75 per month).
- 2019/20 – $927 per year ($77 per month).
- 2020-21 – $968 per year ($81 per month).
Non-Residential Rates
Increases for non-residential rates are similar to the rise in residential rates. Rates are calculated individually for each type of non-residential use.
To determine an estimated cost to collect and treat wastewater from a non-residential customer, the District calculates the cost based on water usage and a strength factor, which is an average cost to treat wastewater from a particular type of non-residential customer.
Thus, a low water user would pay less than a high water user in the same category of non-residential customers with the same strength factor. And, for two non-residential customers with the same water use, the one with the higher strength factor would pay more.
Strength factors vary from 1.0 for offices, retail stores, churches and laundromats to 2.4 for restaurants and cafes, 2.6 for markets and 3.2 for bakeries. Mixed use facilities (high and domestic strength) are applied a strength factor of 2.0.
For information on the specific rates for individual non-residential customers, contact the District office at 415-472-1734.