What Is the Sewer Consumption Charge on Your Bill?
Gain clarity on the sewer consumption charge on your utility bill. Understand this common wastewater fee, its basis, and how to interpret it.
A sewer consumption charge is a common component on utility bills, representing the cost for wastewater services. This charge covers the expenses associated with collecting, treating, and safely discharging water that leaves homes and businesses. It reflects a household’s contribution to the municipal wastewater system.
Understanding the Sewer Consumption Charge
The sewer consumption charge covers the intricate process of managing wastewater. This includes the collection of liquid and solid materials that go down drains and toilets, their transportation through a network of pipes, and their treatment at specialized facilities. The ultimate goal is to purify this water to meet environmental standards before it is returned to natural water bodies.
This charge is distinct from the water supply charge, which covers the delivery of clean, potable water to a property. Water supply charges account for the water entering a property, while sewer charges are levied on the water leaving the property after it has been used and becomes wastewater.
The “consumption” aspect of this charge links it to the volume of water used within a property, as this usage serves as a proxy for the amount of wastewater generated. Since it is impractical to meter the outgoing wastewater, utilities typically base the sewer charge on the incoming metered water usage. The more water a household consumes, the higher its sewer consumption charge will likely be, as most indoor water eventually enters the sewer system.
How the Charge is Calculated
The sewer consumption charge is primarily based on metered water usage. Utilities often use units such as gallons or Centum Cubic Feet (CCF), also known as Hundred Cubic Feet (HCF), where one CCF equals 748 gallons. The total charge usually comprises both fixed and variable components. Fixed charges are a base fee independent of usage, covering operational and maintenance costs of the wastewater infrastructure.
Variable charges fluctuate directly with consumption. These are applied through volumetric rates, where a specific cost is assigned per unit of water used, for example, per 1,000 gallons or per CCF. Some utilities employ tiered rate structures, where the cost per unit increases as water consumption rises, encouraging water conservation.
Many utilities implement a “winter averaging” or “sewer cap” method for residential customers. This calculates the sewer charge based on average water usage during specific winter months (e.g., November through April), when outdoor water use is minimal and most water enters the sewer system. This winter average sets a cap for the sewer charge for the subsequent billing year, meaning customers are not charged for outdoor water usage that does not enter the sewer system during warmer months.
Alternatively, some properties with extensive outdoor water use, such as large irrigation systems, may install a separate “deduct meter.” This meter measures water that does not enter the sewer, allowing deductions from the total water consumption when calculating the sewer charge.
Navigating Your Utility Bill
The sewer consumption charge may appear under various names, including “Sewer Service,” “Wastewater Charge,” “Sanitation,” “Sewerage,” “Sewer User Fee,” or “Wastewater Conveyance.” These line items typically detail the volume of water used, often in CCF or gallons, and the corresponding rate applied.
The bill will also specify the billing cycle, indicating the period of service covered by the charges. Review the consumption data, which might be presented in a usage summary or graph, allowing for comparison with previous periods. If there are questions about the charges, utility bills provide contact information for customer service.