• A dependable supply of safe, potable water
• Environmentally-sound, wastewater collection, treatment and disposal

These services are also offered:

• Solar water heating systems for domestic use and swimming pools
• Recycled water, where available, for approved uses including irrigation and industrial processes

All programs and services are designed and implemented with economic and environmental benefits in mind.

At a public hearing on June 23, 2009, Santa Clara City Council approved new water, recycled water, and sewer rate resolutions. Customers will see the changes in their utility bills after July 1, 2009. These changes are lower than the proposed changes explained in the notices mailed to all utility customers in April.

Sewer Excise Tax elimination

• The City has eliminated the $1.85/month Utility Excise Tax as a means of simplifying the billing for sewer services.
• It was seen as more equitable to eliminate this excise tax that was applied to all utility accounts.

Sewer Rate Changes
Residential Monthly Sewer Charges

Residential monthly sewer charges are now $16.30 per month. The previous monthly sewer charge was $12.76 per month plus the $1.85 per month excise tax. Since the Utility Excise Tax has been eliminated, residential customers will only see a $1.69 increase in their monthly bill. Originally, it was projected that this rate might be as high as $18.70 per month.

Commercial and industrial rates for monthly sewer charges were also increased. The change for each rate is dependant on the customer type. A detailed description of the methodology used to develop the Commercial and Industrial monthly sewer charges can be found in the Wastewater Rate Study at the link below.

Reasons for Increases in Monthly Sewer Charges

• Extensive sewer pipeline projects to repair and improve the City’s aging sewer system, over $28 million.
• $20.8 million needed for renovations and replacement of equipment at the Water Pollution Control Plant (WPCP) over the next 5 years. The WPCP is over 50 years old. The total cost to repair/place equipment is almost $1 billion.
• Increased costs to pump the sewage out to the Water Pollution Control Plant
• Slight increase in the City’s operations and maintenance costs

Water Rate Changes

The charges for water consumption are increasing by 8.5% from $2.305 per hundred cubic feet (hcf) to $2.50 per hcf. 1 hcf is equal to 748 gallons. This increase is less than the 15% increase projected in the notice mailed to all utility customers in April of this year. The City’s water wholesalers’ increases were significantly less than earlier projections and these savings were passed on to the customers.

Increases in Minimum Charges for Water

Minimum charges are being increased by 16% to closer reflect the cost of providing service. This only effects customers that use less water than the minimum charge will purchase.

Water Meter Size	Minimum Monthly Charge 2008/09	Minimum Monthly Charge 2009/10	Units of water the minimum charge equates to
5/8 x 3/4 inch	$6.60	$7.65	3
1 inch	$10.60	$12.20	5
1 1/2 inch	$19.00	$22.00	9
2 inch	$27.00	$31.00	12
3 inch	$75.00	$86.00	34
4 inch	$106.00	$122.00	49
6 inch	$208.00	$239.00	96
8 inch	$319.00	$367.00	147
10 inch	$394.00	$453.00	181
12 inch	$506.00	$582.00	233

Reasons for water rate increases

• Impact of economic downturn and drought
• Continued funding of critical water projects - Water main replacement and water storage seismic retrofit
• Projected fiscal year 2009/10 increase in power costs for pumping water from our wells
• Slight increase in the City’s operations and maintenance costs

Wastewater Rate Study completed April 2009
A fat free diet for your kitchen sink
Recycled Water Rates
Sewer Rates
Water Rates
Customer Service
Department Fact Sheet (PDF)
Use Water Wisely....It's A Way Of Life!
Water Conservation Tips
Water Use Is Rising! Please Conserve!
Water-Wise House Calls