A wastewater charge that may be based on water use, a winter average, fixture count, or a fixed monthly amount. Learn where it appears on a water bill, whether it is controllable, and what to check first.
Water bill
$114
All-in rate
$15.83 per 1k gal
Best next check
Leak and irrigation
A wastewater charge that may be based on water use, a winter average, fixture count, or a fixed monthly amount.
On a real statement, this may appear as Sewer, Wastewater, Sanitary sewer, Wastewater service. Labels vary by city, water district, sewer provider, and billing software.
What to check: Check whether the sewer charge follows current water use, a winter average, a cap, a minimum, or a fixed monthly fee. It can be larger than the water usage charge.
Sewer charge check
A sewer charge pays for wastewater collection and treatment. It may follow current water use, use a winter average, apply a cap, or include a fixed minimum. That is why a sewer line can be larger than the water usage charge.
Calculate sewerCurrent usage
Sewer rises when metered water rises and the utility bills wastewater from current use.
Winter average
Sewer may be based on lower winter water use so summer irrigation is not fully counted.
Minimum or fixed fee
A sewer floor can keep the bill high even when gallons are low.
Best next check
Estimate sewer separately from water before deciding what changed.
Estimate water, sewer, stormwater, usage charges, and fixed service fees.
Open pageBrowse the full glossary for water, sewer, stormwater, and meter terms.
Open pageA utility credit or bill review process that may reduce part of a high bill after a documented leak repair.
Open pageThe part of a water bill based on how much water the meter recorded during the billing period.
Open pageA fixed service fee that helps cover account, meter, and utility system costs even when usage is low.
Open pageA local charge for drainage and stormwater infrastructure, often unrelated to monthly indoor water use.
Open pageA rate structure where each additional block of water can cost more after usage passes a threshold.
Open pageA water billing unit equal to 100 cubic feet, or about 748 gallons.
Open pageShort answers for search visitors and bill-checking moments.
A wastewater charge that may be based on water use, a winter average, fixture count, or a fixed monthly amount.
Sewer charge is partly controllable. Check whether the sewer charge follows current water use, a winter average, a cap, a minimum, or a fixed monthly fee. It can be larger than the water usage charge.
Compare gallons or CCF, billing days, sewer charges, fixed charges, and meter readings before deciding what caused the increase.