​Water Rates FAQS

Current Specific Water & Sewer Rate Charges

The water rates in Phoenix have three main components: the monthly fixed service charge, volume (usage) charges and environmental charges.

Current Rate Schedule effective March 1, 2016​​​​

Monthly Service Charge

The fixed monthly service charge includes six (6) units of water (4,488 gallons) for October through May, and ten (10) units of water (7,480 gallons) for June through September. The service charge varies depending upon your meter size and whether you receive service inside or outside the city. Below is the service charge schedule for the rates effective July 1, 2012. All charges are subject to applicable sales taxes.

Learn more about taxes and other service charge related fees and download a tax and fee information sheet ​

​Water Volume Charges

Volume charges vary with the seasons and are assessed on water usage above the amount in the fixed monthly service charge. The amount a customer is charged for volume is based on metered consumption, and also varies depending upon whether you receive service inside or outside the city. The volume charge is highest in the summer months (June, July, August, and September); lowest in the winter months (December, January, February and March); and are priced in between during spring and fall months (April, May, October, and November). Below is the volume charge schedule for the rates effective March 1, 2016. 

Environmental Charges

Environmental charges are assessed on each unit used and vary depending upon whether you receive service inside or outside the city. Environmental charges are levied as part of the cost to implement unfunded regulations created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, or the Maricopa County Department of Environmental Services. Below is the environmental charge schedule for the rates effective March 1, 2016.

​Sewer Charges

Your monthly sewer charge is based on a calculation of 90 percent of the aver​age water billed for January through March on your City Services Bill.

Download a listing of sewer service charges by user category​ that will show how by sewer charges are applied to all the various types of customers.

Learn more about taxes and other service charge related fees and download a tax and fee information sheet.

If you would like to learn more about your sewer charges, please contact the City of Phoenix Water Services Department Customer Services Division at 602-262-6251, or send us an e-mail. ​

Learn how to lower your monthly sewer charge

The best way to lower your monthly sewer charge is to use less water during January through March. To learn about ways to use less water, indoors and outdoors, request literature from the Phoenix Water Conservation Office.

If you own and maintain a swimming pool, another way to lower your sewer and your water charges when you refill the pool, is to do so when the water rates are at their lowest. And, if you refill the pool during the months of January, February or March, complete and submit a Request for Sewer Fee Adjustment form so the large volume charge doesn't impact your sewer charge. This form must be submitted by the end of September to be eligible for consideration. 

Download the Request for Sewer Fee Adjustment form

Monthly Operations & Maintenance Distribution  of Sewer Charges

Your sewer bill includes a base monthly service charge of $1.00 and a sewer service charge based on a portion of the average water consumption for the period of January, February and March.  The sewer service charge recovers operation, maintenance and new facilities costs.  The table below shows, by major user type, the percentage of the monthly sewer service charges attributed to operation and maintenance of the system.  40.32% of the sewer environmental charge is used for operation and maintenance of the system.  The remainder pays for new environmental facilities costs.  The sewer information is based on rates last adjusted in July 2012. This information is provided per Phoenix City Code Sec. 28-37 (b).

2016 and 2017 Water Rates ​Increase

Water Rates FAQS

On January 6, 2016 the Phoenix City Council approved a 3% rate increase for water rates and a 2% rate increase for sewer rates, which results in a combined 2.6% increase for 2016. Phoenix City Council also approved a 2% increase for water and 2% increase for wastewater, a combined 2% increase for 2017. The 2016 rates went into effect on March 1, 2016. The 2017 rates will go into effect on March 1, 2017.

The approved 2016 and 2017 rate increases will provide funding for resources needed to invest in rehabilitation and replacement of the pipes, treatment plants, pumps, reservoirs, and wells that ensure reliable delivery of the city's drinking water.

The 2016 rates increase roughly translates into a monthly increase of $1.59 for the average water customer. With the new rates in place, the average single-family residential water customer will pay $30.00 per month, and the average single-family residential sewer customer will pay $24.68 per month. These rates are still among the lowest in the nation. ​​​

If you have a question or comments about the department's rates, please email: watersmart@phoenix.gov.

Learn how to reduce your monthly water charges

• Limit your water usage to the amount in the monthly base fee to reduce your costs. The monthly residential water base fee of $5.10 includes 4,488
  gallons of water from October through May and 7,480 gallons from June through September. If you use this amount or less, you will not be charged
  additional water usage or consumption fees.

• Use low water use plants and drip irrigation to reduce your water consumption. About 50% of water used in a typical residential home is for
  outdoor landscaping or swimming pools.

• Reduce your consumption in January, February and March of each year and you could reduce your annual sewer costs. Your monthly sewer charge is
  calculated on your water usage in those months.​

More Information

For information about water and sewer billing, please contact the Water Customer Services Division, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding city holidays, at 602-262-6251. (However, the best days to reach them are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays). You also can send us questions or comments electronically.​

Learn How to Read Your City Services Bill​