An equitable, affordable rate structure
Our rates enable us to provide quality wastewater treatment services to nearly 500,000 people while managing a 430-mile network of sewer lines and operating nine water resource recovery facilities. We don’t receive funds from local or state taxes, which means all our expenses are funded through a combination of user fees, state-revolving loans and revenue debt.
Customer rates support our daily work to protect the health of our local waterways while rehabilitating and improving our region’s sewer system to meet increasingly stringent environmental regulations.
ReWa’s commitment to equity and affordability led us to revise our rate structure on Jan. 1, 2022, through a multi-year process that will continue through 2026.
Two types of wastewater rates
ReWa has two types of wastewater rates based on the services provided to our respective customers.
- Trunk and Treatment Rates: ReWa maintains all of our customers' collection lines, pump stations and treatment plants. All customers pay trunk and treatment rates. Base fees support the maintenance of our infrastructure and treatment plants. The volume component reflects the water used and returned to our sewer system. The average residential customer uses 3,800 gallons of water per month.
- Retail Collection Rates: A few customers pay retail collection rates in addition to trunk and treatment rates. They rely on ReWa to maintain the sewer lateral lines and pump stations that transport their waste to our trunk lines. This rate structure also has both a base and volume component. The average residential customer who is a retail customer uses 3,800 gallons of water per month.
Both types of wastewater rates have base and volume components.
Base charges
This charge recovers a portion of fixed costs associated with operating, building and refurbishing ReWa's infrastructure.
Volume charges
This charge recovers the remaining costs associated with operating, building and refurbishing ReWa infrastructure. This charge is calculated using each customer’s monthly water consumption.
Use less water, save more money
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers these tips to conserve water:
- Fix leaks. Small household leaks can add up to gallons of water lost every day.
- Turn off the tap while brushing teeth and shaving.
- Monitor the length of showers.
- Plug up the sink or use a wash basin when washing dishes by hand.
- Make sure the dishwasher is fully loaded when using it.
- Keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator instead of running water from the faucet until it is cold.
- Thaw frozen food in the refrigerator overnight instead of running tap water over it.
- Only wash full loads of laundry or use the appropriate water level or load size selection on the washing machine.
Commercial and Industrial Users
Looking for commercial and industrial rates? You can find information about commercial and industrial rates and regulations here.
New Account Fees
We work hard to ensure our rate programs remain responsible, progressive and flexible to meet the everyday needs of our growing community.
6-Month Savings Program
When possible residential customers are automatically enrolled in our cost-effective six-month savings program. This program reduces treatment charges associated with outdoor water use since most of this usage doesn’t enter the sewer system/require wastewater treatment.
Our six-month savings period begins after meters are read in April and ends when meters are read in October.
Questions?
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