Is Water and Sewage the Same Bill?
Unravel how water and sewage services are billed. Learn if they appear on the same bill and understand the factors determining your utility costs.
Water and sewage services provide clean water for daily use and manage wastewater disposal. Many consumers wonder if these services appear on the same bill. While distinct, water and sewage are frequently combined on a single utility bill for convenience and operational efficiency, simplifying the payment process for residents.
Understanding Water and Sewage Services
Water service involves sourcing, treating, and delivering potable water to homes and businesses. This begins with drawing water from natural sources, followed by purification to meet safety standards, and then distribution through an extensive network of pipes. The infrastructure includes treatment plants, pumping stations, and underground piping, all necessary to ensure a reliable supply of clean water.
Sewage service handles the collection and treatment of wastewater generated within a property. This includes water from toilets, sinks, showers, and appliances, transported through sewer lines away from the property. The wastewater is directed to a treatment facility where it undergoes processes to remove pollutants before being discharged back into the environment, protecting public health and natural waterways.
Common Billing Practices and Calculation
For most residential customers, water and sewage charges are consolidated onto one utility bill, issued by a municipal water department or a private utility company. This integrated billing approach streamlines administrative tasks and offers a single, convenient payment point for the consumer. Services are combined because most water supplied to a property eventually becomes wastewater that enters the sewer system.
Utility bills consist of two main components: a fixed base charge and a variable usage charge. The fixed charge covers constant operational costs, such as meter reading, billing, and infrastructure maintenance, regardless of water consumed. The variable usage charge fluctuates with consumption, reflecting the volume of water supplied to the property. Water usage is measured by a meter in units like cubic feet (CCF) or thousands of gallons.
Sewage charges often correlate directly with metered water usage. Since it is impractical to meter wastewater from individual homes, utility providers typically estimate sewage volume as a percentage of the incoming water supply, frequently ranging from 90% to 100% of the water consumed. For instance, if a household uses 5,000 gallons of water, their sewage charge might be based on 4,500 gallons, assuming the remaining portion is used for outdoor activities that do not enter the sewer system, such as irrigation. Some utilities may also implement a “cap” on the maximum amount of water usage that generates a sewer charge, particularly during periods of higher outdoor water use.
Situations with Different Billing
While combined billing is standard, certain circumstances can lead to separate billing arrangements for water and sewage services. Homes that rely on a private well for their water supply, rather than a municipal source, will not receive a bill for incoming water. However, if these properties are connected to a public sewer system for wastewater disposal, they will still incur municipal sewage charges. In such cases, sewage fees might be based on a flat rate or an estimated usage derived from factors like the number of residents in the household.
Properties with a private septic system for wastewater treatment do not typically pay for municipal sewage services. A septic system handles all wastewater on-site, precluding the need for connection to a public sewer network. However, some local regulations may still impose a fee if a public sewer line is available, even if the homeowner uses their septic system.
In less common scenarios, different utility companies or municipal departments might manage water supply and wastewater treatment independently. This can result in customers receiving separate bills from distinct entities for each service. Billing for commercial and industrial properties often involves more complex structures, which may include specialized meters for water and wastewater discharge, reflecting their unique usage patterns and potential for higher volume or specialized waste.