Proposed Sewer Service Charges
Novato Sanitary District Board to Consider Increases to the Sewer Service Charge
APPROXIMATE 3% INCREASES FOR MOST RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS
Novato Sanitary District is developing a new, five-year schedule of proposed charges for each customer class. This will ensure continued fair distribution of sewer service charges and funding for quality sewer service. The proposed changes will be discussed at the March 14 meeting of the District’s Board. At the meeting, the Board will review the rate plan and consider taking the next steps to implement the changes.
Charges Vary But Over 87% of Residential Customers Would Experience 3% Per Year Increases. The charges were developed by an independent outside rate firm that conducted an extensive study to determine the cost of serving each of its customer classes: Low-Use, Average-Use, and High-Use Residential customers, and Non-Residential customers. To address changes in the cost of service and ensure that each customer class continues paying their fair share of costs, the District is proposing a series of moderate rate adjustments. For the Average-Use class of customers over the next five years, the increases average about 3% or $21 per year per household.
Residential Sewer Service Charges Are Based on Winter Water Use. Each residential customer is assigned a user class based on water usage during the winter months. Winter water usage generally reflects the amount of water used indoors and drained into the sanitary sewer system. Charges are based on three levels of use: HIGH-WATER USERS with 200% or more than the average winter water use; AVERAGE-WATER USERS with 26% to 199% of the average winter water use; and LOW-WATER USERS with 25% or less than the average winter water use. Note that over 87% of customers are in the Average tier, including individually non-metered (multi-unit) residential customers.
Novato Sanitary’s Sewer Service Charges Are Among the Lowest in the County. The District has been proactive in controlling costs. As a result, we have among the lowest sanitary sewer service charges in the County. We expect they will remain among the lowest even if the proposed increases are approved.
Proposed Residential Rates*
| Water Use | Current | July 1, 2022 | July 1, 2023 | July 1, 2024 | July 1, 2025 | July 1, 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LOW | $395 | $431 | $444 | $457 | $471 | $485 |
| AVERAGE | $657 | $677 | $698 | $719 | $740 | $762 |
| HIGH | $1,181 | $1,210 | $1,247 | $1,284 | $1,323 | $1,362 |
*For LISRAP discounts, see below.
More details on the rates, including non-residential rates are available in the current Board packet.
Low Income Sewer Rate Assistance Program (LISRAP). Low-income, single-family residential customers who enroll in the District’s LISRAP program will continue to receive discounts based on enrollment in the PG&E CARE Program. Low-Water-Use customers in the LISRAP Program would receive a 15% discount and experience a sewer service charge increase of only about $12 per year. All other single-family residential customers in the LISRAP program would continue to receive a 10% discount.
For More Information. The Board of Directors conducted its first review of the proposed rate changes on February 14, 2022, at its regularly scheduled meeting. Next, the District will hold another public board meeting on March 14 to consider a final draft of the sewer service charge study. At the Board meeting, they may direct staff to mail a notice with a detailed explanation of the proposed sewer service charge changes to every property owner. Finally, the Board plans to conduct a public hearing on May 9 to vote on the charges. Customers interested in learning more, asking questions, and providing input can participate in any of these meetings, contact the District at novatosan.com, email info@novatosan.com, visit the Board agenda Page, or call customer service at (415) 892-1694.
