How Can Phoenix Residents Find Out More Information About the Proposed Rate Increase?

In October and November, Phoenix Water will be hosting several open houses to provide information and garner comments from the public. City staff will be on hand at the open houses to provide information on the city's rate setting process, including how the department will use these additional funds.

Interested residents can get details on how to sign up for the open houses by either visiting www.phoenix.gov/water and clicking on the tab "Water Rates" or emailing watersmart@phoenix.gov. 

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.  Changes will be made to water and sewer rates in March of 2017.  There are a number of component parts to both the water and sewer rates, some of the rate components will not change and others will increase by varying proportions.  The changes are designed to result in an overall 2% increase in both water revenue and sewer revenue.  Individual customers may experience changes to their water and sewer bills that are either greater than or less than 2% depending on a variety of factors such as amount of usage, seasonality of usage, meter size, and customer type such as residential or industrial. Current Rate Schedule effective March 1, 2017 (PDF)

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 current rates. 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 (PDF) ​

​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, 2017. 

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, 2017.

​Sewer Charges

Your monthly sewer charge is based on a calculation of  a percentage of the average water billed for January through March on your city services bill. 

Download a listing of sewer service charges by user category (PDF)​ to see the sewer charges that apply to the various types of customers and also the percentage of measured water use used for calculation of sewer charges.

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

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 billing cycles, complete and submit a Request for Sewer Fee Adjustment form so the large volume charge doesn't impact your sewer charge.  For a 2019 sewer appeal, please click here.  Please note, the 2019 sewer appeal is for 2019 January, February and March billing cycles only.  Sewer adjustments will not be made for prior years.

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