Potable water service charges are comprised of the following elements:
Readiness to Serve Charge (bi-monthly)
Readiness to Serve Charge is a flat fee, which recovers a portion of expenses incurred in maintaining the distribution system, providing fire protection and processing customer activity. The readiness to serve charge is based on the size of the meter serving the property (Refer to the chart below.)
Meter Size
¾"
$26.35 (standard household service)
1"
$38.80
1 ½"
$69.91
2"
$107.00
3"
$207.00
4"
$319.00
6"
$630.00
8"
$1,003.00
10"
$1,439.00
Commodity Charges
Commodity Charges recovers the cost of acquiring and delivering water to each customer. The commodity charge is based on the volume of water delivered to a customer during a bi-monthly billing period. The commodity charge is expressed in "billing units" of 100 cubic feet; a single billing unit is equal to 748 gallons. A tiered rate structure with an increasing commodity charge per tier is used to encourage conservation. (Refer to the charts below.)
In response to the current water shortage, a “budget” rate structure is also in effect. Customers with bimonthly use at or below their budgeted amount for that billing period pay normal rates. However, if a customer exceeds their budgeted use during a billing period, a supplemental charge of $3 for each unit exceeding the budgeted amount will be applied, in addition to the normal commodity charges.
Potable Water
Tier 1
Tier 2
Tier 3
Tier 4
Charge per unit
$ 1.58
$ 1.93
$ 2.77
$ 4.05
Tier Break Points
Single-Family Residence
Multi-Family Residence
First 16 units
First 12 units
Next 51 units
Next 2 units
Next 133 units
Next 10
Over 200 units
Over 24 units
Commercial / Irrigation
Meter Sizes
3/4"
1 1/2"
First 16
First 27
First 53
First 85
First 171
First 267
First 533
First 853
First 1,227
Next 51
Next 87
Next 168
Next 270
Next 546
Next 852
Next 1,698
Next 2,718
Next 3,912
Next 133
Next 226
Next 439
Next 705
Next 1,423
Next 2,221
Next 4,429
Next 7,089
Next 10,201
Over 200
Over 340
Over 660
Over 1,060
Over 2,140
Over 3,340
Over 6,660
Over 10,660
Over 15,340
Elevation Charges
Elevation Charges cover the additional costs of infrastructure and power to pump water to higher locations, billing differs by zone, with customers at higher elevations paying higher costs per unit of water. Most district customers are located in zones 1 and 2.
Zone 1 Elevation Charge per unit
$0.00
Zone 2 Elevation Charge per unit
$0.35
Zone 3 Elevation Charge per unit
$0.60
Zone 4 Elevation Charge per unit
$1.05
Zone 5 Elevation Charge per unit
$2.11
Zone 1, includes all domestic water customers receiving water that does not require pumping above a hydraulic gradient of 1235 feet.Zone 2, includes all domestic water customers receiving water that requires pumping to elevations between 1235 and 1700 feet.Zone 3, includes all domestic water customers receiving water that requires pumping to elevations between 1700 and 2200 feet.Zone 4, includes all domestic water customers receiving water that requires pumping to elevations greater than 2200 feet.Zone 5, includes all domestic water customers who are served water purchased by the District from sources other than the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.