What is a tiered water bill?
A tiered water bill charges different rates at different usage levels. Early gallons may be cheaper, while higher-use tiers may cost more per 1,000 gallons.
Tiered water bill calculator
Estimate a water bill with tiered usage rates.
Use this when your water utility charges one rate for the first block of gallons, a higher rate for the next block, and another rate for high usage.
Water bill
$114
Water use$46.00
Sewer$41.00
Service$27.00
All-in rate
$15.83 per 1k gal
Best next check
Leak and irrigation
Tiered water inputs
Enter the gallon breaks and rates from a tiered water rate table.
Estimated total
$109
$49.35 usage charge plus fixed, sewer, and other fees.
Water usage charge
$49.35
Current marginal tier is $11.75 per 1,000 gallons.
Effective all-in rate
$13.34
Total bill divided by every 1,000 gallons used.
Fixed and sewer fees
$60.00
Fees entered outside the tiered water usage charge.
Tier breakdown
Tier 1
4,000 gallons at $4.50 / 1k gal
$18.00
Tier 2
4,000 gallons at $7.25 / 1k gal
$29.00
Tier 3
200 gallons at $11.75 / 1k gal
$2.35
This usage reaches the highest tier. Extra outdoor use or a leak may be charged at the most expensive marginal rate.
Use the tiered result next
Water meter reading calculator
Convert previous and current meter readings into gallons before applying tiered rates.
Open pageWater bill calculator
Use a simpler flat-rate calculator when your bill does not show tiered usage charges.
Open pageSewer bill calculator
Estimate the sewer side of the same water bill using billed sewer CCF and fixed fees.
Open pageFAQ
Short answers for search visitors and bill-checking moments.
How do I calculate a tiered water bill?
Split total gallons across each tier, multiply each tier by its rate, then add base fees, sewer charges, stormwater, taxes, and other fixed line items.
Why is the effective water rate higher than the tier rate?
The effective rate includes fixed charges, sewer, stormwater, and fees. It can be higher than any single water usage tier shown on the rate table.