Sewer Rates
The City shall determine which customer class best reflects the wastewater characteristics of each account. Sewer rates were approved by City Council in 2019 following a comprehensive rate study and public input process.
Residential
| Effective Date | July 1, 2020 | July 1, 2021 | July 1, 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-family residence | $1,283.19 | $1,340.93 | $1,401.27 |
| Multi-family dwelling unit | $1,102.57 | $1,151.62 | $1,203.44 |
| Annual charge per residential dwelling unit. | |||
Commercial
| Effective Date | July 1, 2020 | July 1, 2021 | July 1, 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| High strength/restaurants1 | $20.42 | $21.34 | $22.30 |
| Moderate strength (includes hotels)2 | $17.52 | $18.31 | $19.13 |
| Standard strength/all others | $13.15 | $13.74 | $14.36 |
| Minimum annual charge per parcel or account | $962.39 | $1,005.70 | $1,050.95 |
| Volumetric charges per hundred cubic feet of metered water use, subject to minimum annual charge. One hundred cubic feet (HCF) equals approximately 748 gallons. | |||
| 1Includes restaurants, bakeries, mortuaries, markets with garbage disposals and mixed-use accounts where wastewater is comprised of 75 percent or higher flow from high-strength users. | |||
| 2Includes hotels with food service and/or laundry facilities and mixed-use accounts whose wastewater is comprised of greater than 25 percent but less than 75 percent of flow from high-strength users. | |||
Institutional
| Effective Date | July 1, 2020 | July 1, 2021 | July 1, 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hospitals | $15.15 | $15.83 | $16.54 |
| School/church/public/other | $12.73 | $13.30 | $13.90 |
| Minimum annual charge per parcel or account | $962.39 | $1,005.70 | $1,050.95 |
| Volumetric charges per hundred cubic feet of metered water use, subject to a minimum annual charge. One hundred cubic feet (hfc) equals approximately 748 gallons. | |||
Industrial
| Effective Date | July 1, 2020 | July 1, 2021 | July 1, 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volumetric charge ($ per hundred cubic feet of metered water use) | $10.89 | $11.38 | $11.89 |
| + Biological oxygen demand (BOD), ($ per pound) | 1.3533 | 1..4142 | 1.4778 |
| + Suspended solids (SS), ($ per pound) | 1.5196 | 1.5879 | 1.6594 |
| Minimum annual charge per parcel or account | $962.39 | $1,005.70 | $1,050.95 |
Proposition 218: Right to Vote on Taxes
In 1996, California Voters approved Proposition 218 adding a number of procedural requirements for local governments to raise property related assessments and fees, such as sewer and garbage rates, including the need to:
- Provide written notice to the owner of each parcel upon which a property-related fee or charge will be imposed;
- Hold a public hearing at least 45 calendar days after the mailing of the notice;
- Receive and tabulate written protests. A property-related fee or charge may not be imposed or increased if a majority of affected property owners submit written protests.
Sewer Rate Reduction Program
The program applies to residential single-family households in San Carlos. Qualification is based on gross annual household income, similar to qualification standards for PG&E’s CARE Program. Residents who receive the PG&E CARE discount on their monthly PG&E bills automatically qualify for the 10 percent Sewer Rate Reduction Program. If you think you qualify for the PG&E CARE Program but have not yet signed up, contact PG&E:
Email: careprogram@pge.com
Phone: (866) 743-2273
You must be enrolled in PG&E’s CARE Program to receive the City’s 10 percent sewer discount.
To apply for our Sewer Rate Reduction, fill out the online application below. If approved, you may also qualify for the Solid Waste Rate Reduction Program.
Call (650) 802-4194 if you have questions, comments or concerns.