Rates and Finance

Sewer Service Charges (Rates)

Fiscal Responsibility Your Wastewater District practices fiscal responsibility, striving to provide the highest quality of service at the lowest reasonable cost.

Rates Lower Than Inflation Novato Sanitary District’s rates have changed at a pace lower than inflation for the past 50 years. This is possible by cost control, careful use of new technology and reduced energy use – practices that continue. Our rates are below average for the region.

How Residential Sewer Service Charges are Calculated

Flow Each residential customer is charged for sewer use based on water usage during the winter months. The service charge appears on the annual property tax bill. Sewer service is measured in Equivalent Dwelling Units (EDU). One EDU of flow is equal to the typical water use by a single-family home. Charges are tiered based on the amount of water use.

• 200% or more than the average water use are charged for 1.8 EDU

• Between 26% and 199% of the average use of all customers are charged for one unit of service (1 EDU). This covers the vast majority of all customers.

• Non-metered residential customers are also charged one service unit (1 EDU)

• 25% or less than average user are charge for 0.6 units of service (0.6 EDU)

Strength Domestic sewage produced by residential customers is the standard against which higher strength commercial and industrial sewage discharges are measured. The strength of residential water is equal to one EDU. A restaurant, for example, has stronger sewage than an office (due to the grease, food waste, and detergents in the wash water) and therefore a higher EDU rating and charge.

Current Sewer Service Charges

Typical Residential Sewer Service Charges

Under the current rates, the annual bill for the average residence is $464 in 2010-11

Non-Residential Charges

Non-residential customers pay a proportionate charge based on their water use, size of facility, and the strength of the wastewater. The minimum non-residential charge is one service unit.