The City of Santa Clara Water & Sewer Utilities is committed to maintaining critical infrastructure and complying with all applicable rules and regulations to deliver safe, dependable, and efficient water, sewer, and recycled water service to our customers. The City strives to maintain the affordability of these services. Rates are determined based on the proposed budgeted expenditures for both capital and operational expenses in a given fiscal year. The use of, or replenishment of financial reserves during a given fiscal year will also influence rates. In addition, in order to calculate rates, the Utilities prepare estimates of the amount of water that will be sold and sewer discharged in the coming Fiscal Year. These factors are important since the majority of the revenue from the rates go to pay for purchasing water and the operating and capital expenses at the Regional Wastewater Facility.

Water Rates

Purchasing water is approximately 68% of the operating cost of the water utility. The increased cost of water and increased capital projects to replace infrastructure put pressure on water rates.

Council adopted potable water rates on June 6, 2023 as reflected in the table below. General customers are charged $7.97 per hundred cubic feet (HCF). One HCF is equal to 748 gallons. The table below provides the minimum monthly charge based on size of the water meter. For more information, see the Water Rates page.

Recycled Water Rates

On June 6, 2023, Council adopted recycled water rates for general customers of $4.53 per hundred cubic feet (HCF). For more information, see the Recycled Water Rates page.

Sewer Rates

The cost of treating sewage and capital projects at the RWF and within the City accounts for 83% of the sewer rate. The remainder of the sewer rate is to pay for the equipment and personnel to operate and maintain the City's sewer collection system. 

Residential, Monthly Sewer Charges

As of June 6, 2023, Council adopted monthly sewer rates of $48.28 for single family residential customers and $45.88 for multi family residential customers.

Commercial and Industrial Rates

Commercial and industrial monthly sewer rates will change based on the flow and strength of the flow into the sewer system, which is based on their customer class. Sewer rates for the various customer types can be found on the Sewer Rates page.

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