Wastewater Rates

Wastewater rates consist of a base rate and a volumetric rate designed to ensure the wastewater utility operates on a self-sustaining basis. The base rate is the minimum bill that a residential or commercial customer would receive to equally share in providing the availability of service. The volumetric rate is the amount charged to a customer per thousand gallons used.  

There are two cost components associated with the City wastewater system. The first component is charges from the Upper Trinity Regional Water District (UTRWD) for the cost of the maintenance to the sewer distribution system. The second component is City expenditure for the maintenance of City sewer lines, liftstations used to pump sewer through the City system to the UTRWD for treatment, capital improvement projects, debt service, mandatory testing, personnel and repairs to the system.  

Sewer Averaging

Each year, residential monthly water consumption is measured and averaged to establish the monthly sewer charge for each customer for the upcoming year. The sewer averaging process consists of usage during the months of November, December, January, and February. By conserving water during this period you can control your monthly sewer charge.

The winter month with the highest consumption is discarded and the remaining three months’ consumption are averaged together to reflect the resident’s average consumption. Each resident’s sewer charge is based on their own average consumption that is determined during Sewer Averaging. The bills that are due in April will reflect the new sewer charge which will be in effect for the next twelve months.

New rates are effective October 1, 2023.

Wastewater Adopted Rates
 

Senior citizens receive 1,000 gallons of wastewater included in their monthly minimum bill.
Sewer averages are capped at 25,000 gallons.