Water and Sewer Rates
FY23 Water & Sewer Rates Now Available
The FY23 rates represent the following changes from FY22 rates:
- An 11.0% increase in water volumetric charges;
- A 12.5% increase in sewer volumetric charges; and
- No change to existing base charges for both water and sewer.
Scroll down to view more details in the tab below titled "FY23 Residential & Commercial Rates."
View the results of our most recent water & sewer rate study here.
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FY23 Residential & Commercial Rates
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FY22 Residential & Commercial Rates
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FY21 Residential & Commercial Rates
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FY19 Residential & Commercial Rates
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FY20 Residential & Commercial Rates
FY23 Residential & Commercial Rates
Information Session and Public Hearing on FY23 Water and Sewer Rates
The City of Somerville will hold a virtual information session and public hearing on the proposed Fiscal Year 2023 water and sewer rates on Tuesday, June 7. at 6 p.m. (More Info & Link to Join)
The tables below outline the water and sewer volumetric rates for the Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23). The FY23 rates represent the following changes to the current rates:
- An 11.0% increase in water volumetric charges;
- A 12.5% increase in sewer volumetric charges; and
- No change to existing base charges for both water and sewer.
The following tables list the new rates as well as the impact to average ratepayers. The residential ‘discount tier’ for the first 8 units of usage [8 units x 748 gallons per unit = 5,984 gallons] remains in place.
Table 1: Total Change In Average Annual Cost For Various Billing Units From Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) To Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) (Including Base and Volumetric Charges)
Total Change in Annual Costs for Various Billing Units (Including Base & Volumetric Charges, Amended) | ||||
Total units per bill (in CCF)1 | FY22 | FY23 | ||
Annual total | Annual total | Total Annual Change (FY21 to FY22) | % change | |
15 (average condo unit)2 | $840 | $919 | $79 | 9% |
18 (average single-family home)2 | $1,017 | $ 1,118 | $101 | 10% |
30 (average two-family home)2 | $1,727 | $ 1,912 | $185 | 11% |
42 (average three-family home)2 | $2,437 | $ 2,707 | $270 | 11% |
110 (average 8-unit apartment building)3 | $6,583 | $ 7,347 | $764 | 12% |
Table 2: FY23 Residential Volumetric Charges (Tri-Annual Bills)
FY2023 Residential Volumetric Charges ($/Billing Unit*) | ||||
Tier | Tier Range (per CCF) | Water | Sewer | Combined |
Discount rate | 0-8 | $4.98 | $9.92 | $14.90 |
T1 | 9-13 | $5.56 | $11.03 | $16.59 |
T2 | 14-67 | $8.00 | $14.07 | $22.07 |
T3 | 68-133 | $8.38 | $14.76 | $23.14 |
T4 | OVER 133 | $8.71 | $15.28 | $23.99 |
*One unit = 100 cubic feet (CCF) or 748 gallons of water
Table 3: FY23 Commercial Volumetric Charges (Bi-Monthly Bills)
FY2023 Commercial Volumetric Charges ($/Billing Unit*) | ||||
Tier | Tier Range (per CCF) | Water | Sewer | Combined |
T1 | 0-13 | $5.56 | $11.03 | $16.59 |
T2 | 14-67 | $8.00 | $14.07 | $22.07 |
T3 | 68-133 | $8.38 | $14.76 | $23.14 |
T4 | OVER 133 | $8.71 | $15.28 | $23.99 |
*One unit = 100 cubic feet (CCF) or 748 gallons of water
FY22 Residential & Commercial Rates
The tables below outline the water and sewer volumetric rates for the Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22). The FY22 rates represent the following changes to the current rates:
- A 7.0% increase in water volumetric charges;
- A 10.5% increase in sewer volumetric charges; and
- No change to existing base charges for both water and sewer.
The following tables list the new rates as well as the impact to average ratepayers. The residential ‘discount tier’ for the first 8 units of usage [8 units x 748 gallons per unit = 5,984 gallons] remains in place.
Table 1: Total Change In Average Annual Cost For Various Billing Units From Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) To Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) (Including Base and Volumetric Charges)
Total Change in Annual Costs for Various Billing Units (Including Base & Volumetric Charges, Amended) | ||||
Total units per bill (in CCF)1 | FY21 | FY22 | ||
Annual total | Annual total | Total Annual Change (FY21 to FY22) | % change | |
15 (average condo unit)2 | $784 | $840 | $55.98 | 7.14% |
18 (average single-family home)2 | $946 | $ 1,017 | $70.92 | 7.49% |
30 (average two-family home)2 | $1,597 | $ 1,727 | $130.68 | 8.18% |
42 (average three-family home)2 | $2,247 | $ 2,437 | $190.44 | 8.48% |
110 (average 8-unit apartment building)3 | $ 6,043 | $ 6,583 | $539.40 | 8.93% |
Table 2: FY21 Residential Volumetric Charges (Tri-Annual Bills)
FY2022 Residential Volumetric Charges ($/Billing Unit*) | ||||
Tier | Tier Range (per CCF) | Water | Sewer | Combined |
Discount rate | 0-8 | $4.49 | $8.82 | $13.31 |
T1 | 9-13 | $5.01 | $9.80 | $14.81 |
T2 | 14-67 | $7.21 | $12.51 | $19.72 |
T3 | 68-133 | $7.55 | $13.12 | $20.67 |
T4 | OVER 133 | $7.85 | $13.58 | $21.43 |
*One unit = 100 cubic feet (CCF) or 748 gallons of water
Table 3: FY21 Commercial Volumetric Charges (Bi-Monthly Bills)
FY2022 Commercial Volumetric Charges ($/Billing Unit*) | ||||
Tier | Tier Range (per CCF) | Water | Sewer | Combined |
T1 | 0-10 | $5.01 | $9.80 | $14.81 |
T2 | 11-100 | $7.21 | $12.51 | $19.72 |
T3 | 101-200 | $7.55 | $13.12 | $20.67 |
T4 | OVER 200 | $7.85 | $13.58 | $21.43 |
*One unit = 100 cubic feet (CCF) or 748 gallons of water
FY21 Residential & Commercial Rates
The tables below outline the water and sewer volumetric rates for the Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21). The FY21 rates represent the following changes to the current rates:
- A 7.5% increase in water volumetric charges;
- A 2.5% increase in sewer volumetric charges; and
- No change to existing base charges for both water and sewer.
The following tables list the new rates as well as the impact to average ratepayers. The residential ‘discount tier’ for the first 8 units of usage [8 units x 748 gallons per unit = 5,984 gallons] remains in place.
FY21 Residential Volumetric Charges (Tri-Annual Bills)
FY2021 Residential Volumetric Charges ($/billing unit*) | ||||
Tier | Tier Range (per CCF) | Water | Sewer | Combined |
Discount rate | 0-8 | 4.20 | 7.98 | 12.18 |
T1 | 9-13 | 4.68 | 8.87 | 13.55 |
T2 | 14-67 | 6.74 | 11.32 | 18.06 |
T3 | 68-133 | 7.06 | 11.87 | 18.93 |
T4 | OVER 133 | 7.34 | 12.29 | 19.63 |
*One unit = 100 cubic feet (CCF) or 748 gallons of water
FY21 Commercial Volumetric Charges (Bi-Monthly Bills)
FY2020 Commercial Volumetric Charges ($/billing unit*) | ||||
Tier | Tier Range (per CCF) | Water | Sewer | Combined |
T1 | 0-10 | 4.68 | 8.87 | 13.55 |
T2 | 11-100 | 6.74 | 11.32 | 18.06 |
T3 | 101-200 | 7.06 | 11.87 | 18.93 |
T4 | OVER 200 | 7.34 | 12.29 | 19.63 |
*One unit = 100 cubic feet (CCF) or 748 gallons of water
FY19 Residential & Commercial Rates
Residential |
FY2019 Volumetric Charges ($/unit) |
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Tier |
Usage |
Water |
Sewer |
Combined |
1 |
0-13 |
$4.14 |
$8.20 |
$12.34 |
2 |
14-67 |
$5.97 |
$10.46 |
$16.43 |
3 |
68-133 |
$6.26 |
$10.97 |
$17.23 |
4 |
OVER 133 |
$6.50 |
$11.36 |
$17.86 |
(100 cubic feet is equal to 748 gallons)
Commercial |
FY2019 Volumetric Charges ($/unit) |
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Tier |
Usage |
Water |
Sewer |
Combined |
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1 |
0-10 |
$4.14 |
$8.20 |
$12.34 |
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2 |
11-100 |
$5.97 |
$10.46 |
$16.43 |
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3 |
101-200 |
$6.26 |
$10.97 |
$17.23 |
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4 |
OVER 200 |
$6.50 |
$11.36 |
$17.86 |
(100 cubic feet is equal to 748 gallons)
More Information
If you have any further questions, please contact the Water and Sewer Department at 617-625-6600 ext. 5850.
Individuals with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication, written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures, in order to access the programs and activities of the City of Somerville or to attend meetings, should contact should contact Nency Salamoun, at 617-625-6600 x2323 or NSalamoun@somervillema.gov.
FY20 Residential & Commercial Rates
Information Session
An information session and public hearing was held at 6 p.m. on Monday, April 22 at the Somerville High School Cafeteria at 81 Highland Ave. Click here to view a PDF of the presentation slides from the information session.
Accepted Rates
Pursuant to Chapter 11, Section 11-125 and Section 11-164 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Somerville, the tables below outline the amended water and sewer volumetric rates for the Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20). Given the substantial need for investment in our aging and fragile water and sewer system and the increasingly strict regulatory environment we confront, the Administration’s original rate proposal, submitted on March 25, 2019, included increases of 6% for water and 7.5% for sewer. The Council rejected these rate increases on May 9, 2019.
Though the Administration continues to emphasize that the original rate proposal is the appropriate and responsible choice in light of our system needs, we now submit the following amended rate proposal:
- A 5% increase in water volumetric charges;
- A 5.5% increase in sewer volumetric charges;
- No change to existing base charges for both water and sewer; and,
- The creation of a Discount Tier for all ratepayers billed tri-annually that aims to provide particular relief to low-volume users.
The first table on the next page describes the updated residential tiers, which reflect the addition of the Discount Tier for any usage under 8 units [748 gallons per unit x 8 units, or 5,984 gallons of water].
If you have any questions, please contact me at jdeluca@somervillema.gov.
For additional information about these water and sewer rate changes, please see the rate recommendation memorandum from our consultant, Woodard & Curran.
Accepted FY20 Residential Volumetric Charges (Tri-Annual Bills)
Residential |
FY 2020 Volumetric Charges |
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Tier |
Usage |
Water |
Sewer |
Combined |
Discount Rate |
0-8 |
$3.91 |
$7.79 |
$11.70 |
T1 |
9-13 |
$4.35 |
$8.65 |
$13.00 |
T2 |
14-67 |
$6.27 |
$11.04 |
$17.31 |
T3 |
68-133 |
$6.57 |
$11.58 |
$18.15 |
T4 | OVER 133 |
$6.83 |
$11.99 | $18.82 |
*One unit = 100 cubic feet (CCF) or 748 gallons of water
Accepted FY20 Commercial Volumetric Charges (Bi-Monthly Bills)
Commercial |
FY 2020 Volumetric Charges |
|||
Tier |
Usage |
Water |
Sewer |
Combined |
T1 |
0-10 |
$4.35 |
$8.65 |
$13.00 |
T2 |
11-100 |
$6.27 |
$11.04 |
$17.31 |
T3 |
101-200 |
$6.57 |
$11.58 |
$18.15 |
T4 | OVER 200 |
$6.83 |
$11.99 | $18.82 |
*One unit = 100 cubic feet (CCF) or 748 gallons of water