Why Is My Sewer Bill Higher Than My Water Bill?

Sewer bills often exceed water bills, causing confusion. This article aims to clarify why sewer costs can be higher than water supply, detailing the methods used to calculate sewer charges and identifying specific factors that might increase an individual’s bill.

Why Sewer Costs More Than Water

The fundamental difference in the services provided by water delivery and wastewater treatment explains why sewer charges are typically higher. Delivering clean drinking water involves purifying water from a source and transporting it through pressurized pipelines to homes. Sewer services, conversely, encompass the collection, transportation, and extensive treatment of all wastewater from homes before it can be safely returned to the environment. Treatment is sophisticated due to regulations, requiring biological systems, chemical treatments, and disinfection. These operations demand energy, chemicals, and continuous infrastructure maintenance, contributing to higher costs. Sewer systems also rely on gravity, requiring deeper pipelines and expensive pump stations, adding to infrastructure burden.

How Sewer Bills Are Calculated

Utility companies employ various methodologies to calculate sewer charges, with the most common approach tying the sewer bill directly to water usage. Since wastewater flow is not typically metered at the individual household level, the amount of incoming water serves as an estimate for the outgoing wastewater. This means that for every unit of water consumed, a corresponding sewer charge is applied, often measured in centum cubic feet (CCF) or hundred cubic feet (HCF), where one CCF equals 100 cubic feet or approximately 748 gallons.

One prevalent calculation model is volumetric or metered usage, where sewer charges are directly based on the household’s measured water consumption. Some utilities utilize “winter averaging,” where sewer charges for the entire year are based on average water usage during specific non-irrigation months, typically in winter (e.g., November through February). This method helps account for outdoor water use that does not enter the sewer system, such as lawn watering or pool filling, preventing customers from being charged for sewer services on water that does not become wastewater. Alternatively, some areas may implement flat fees, where a fixed charge is applied regardless of usage, or tiered pricing, where the rate per unit of water increases after certain usage thresholds are met.

Specific Factors Increasing Your Bill

Several specific factors can contribute to an unexpectedly high sewer bill for an individual household. Undetected water leaks are a common culprit, as they inflate water usage and, consequently, sewer charges, even if the water does not flow into the sewer system. Leaks from toilets, dripping faucets, or hidden pipe issues can waste thousands of gallons annually, directly impacting the bill. Even small, continuous drips can add up to significant costs over time.

Another contributing factor is outdoor water use if the utility does not implement winter averaging or if a separate meter for outdoor irrigation is not installed. In such cases, water used for lawns, gardens, or pools is assumed to enter the sewer system and is charged accordingly. Changes in household usage, such as an increase in the number of occupants or more frequent use of water-intensive appliances like washing machines and dishwashers, can legitimately raise water consumption and, by extension, sewer bills. Additionally, utility rate changes, which can occur periodically to cover infrastructure upgrades or increased operational costs, may also lead to higher bills.

Steps to Manage a High Sewer Bill

Proactive steps can help manage or reduce a high sewer bill. Begin by thoroughly reviewing your utility bill to understand the usage patterns, identify the billing period, and differentiate between water and sewer charges. This review can help pinpoint any unusual spikes or discrepancies.

Checking for leaks within your home is a practical next step, as even minor leaks can significantly increase water and sewer charges. A simple test involves adding food coloring to your toilet tank; if the color appears in the bowl without flushing, a leak is present. Monitoring your water meter when no water is being used can also reveal unseen leaks if the meter dial continues to move.

Practicing water conservation, such as taking shorter showers, only running full loads in dishwashers and washing machines, and turning off faucets while brushing teeth, directly reduces water consumption and thus sewer charges. For long-term savings, consider installing water-saving fixtures like low-flow toilets and showerheads. If the reasons for a high bill remain unclear, contacting your utility provider for clarification on charges or billing methods is advisable.