Sewer Rates
Rate Structure
The City adopted new sewer rates that became effective July 1, 2021 (per Ordinance 1110 (PDF), adopted May 4, 2021).
Monthly wastewater charges for single-family residential customers (those residential units, including condominiums and townhomes, with up to four dwelling units per one water meter) shall be based on a combination of a fixed charge and a usage charge. The usage charge shall be based on the “Winter Water Use” multiplied by the usage charge. The Winter Water Use is defined as the metered water usage from on or around December 20 through February 20 of each year for the three (3) previous years divided by six (6). Under no circumstance shall a customer’s Winter Water Use be less than 2 HCF per month. The Winter Water Use shall establish the maximum usage charge for the subsequent April through March billing period.
For new service accounts, the first three years Winter Water use shall be set to 6 HCF/month, which is the average Winter Water Use for all residential customers, as identified in the most current rate study. However, customers who have less than three years of water use history, but more than one, can appeal the default HCF/month assumption to the Utility Billing Adjustment Committee (UBAC) as established in Section 14.02.100.
Usage Charges & Effective Dates
Residential Rates (1 to 4 dwelling units)
| Effective Date | Current | July 1, 2021 | April 1, 2022 | April 1, 2023 | April 1, 2024 | April 1, 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed Monthly Charge per Dwelling Unit | --- | $11.40 | $15.53 | $19.93 | $24.60 | $29.58 |
| Usage Charge ($/HCF) | $7.80 | $7.80 | $7.80 | $7.80 | $7.80 | $7.80 |
For example, if your Winter Water Use is 6 HCF per month, which is average for all residential customers in Paso Robles, your monthly wastewater charges starting July 1, 2021, will be calculated as:
$11.40 flat rate + (6HCF x $7.80/HCF) = $58.20
The following table shows what total monthly wastewater charges will be for a range of different Winter Water Use (including the fixed charge and usage charges).
| Billed Use (HCF) | Current Rates | July 1, 2021 | April 1, 2022 | April 1, 2023 | April 1, 2024 | April 1, 2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low Use | 3 | $23.40 | $34.80 | $38.93 | $43.33 | $48.00 | $52.98 |
| Median | 5.5 | $42.90 | $54.30 | $58.43 | $62.83 | $65.50 | $72.48 |
| Average | 6 | $46.80 | $58.20 | $62.33 | $66.73 | $71.40 | $76.38 |
| Moderate-High | 9 | $70.20 | $81.60 | $85.73 | $90.13 | $94.80 | $99.78 |
| High | 12 | $93.60 | $105.00 | $109.13 | $113.53 | $118.20 | $123.18 |
Commercial (Non-Residential) Sewer Rates
Monthly wastewater charges for businesses, hotels, residential of 5 units and more on one meter, schools and other non-residential uses are based on metered monthly water use multiplied by the usage charge then in effect. The usage charges are:
| Effective Date | Current | July 1, 2021 | April 1, 2022 | April 1, 2023 | April 1, 2024 | April 1, 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Usage Charge ($/HCF) | $7.80 | $9.67 | $10.44 | $11.27 | $12.18 | $13.15 |
To ensure a minimal level of cost recovery from accounts with minimal to no use, non-residential customers will be subject to a minimum charge that is equivalent to the fixed charge for residential customers noted above. This charge is not billed in addition to usage rates; instead, it serves as a baseline charge that would only apply when lower levels of billed usage would otherwise result in charges below the minimum level.
Requesting an Adjustment
Should you feel an adjustment of your monthly usage basis units is needed, please complete the Request for Adjustment to Residential Sewer Bills (PDF).
More Information
For more information regarding the wastewater rate method, please download the Public Hearing Notice regarding Wastewater Rates (PDF).
Commercial accounts and customers outside the city limits have different rates, and our staff will be happy to discuss those rates with you. Please call 805-237-3996.
For utility billing questions, email Utility Billing in the Administrative Services Department.