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Subjects › Environment › Water Rates That Encourage Conservation
Updated 01/2010

Water Rates That Encourage Conservation

Water rate policies can be used to encourage water conservation. However, pricing must be set to provide adequate revenues to operate the utility in a fiscally-sound manner. Rate structures vary, and some jurisdictions have a combination of rate structures. The flat rate, based on class structure, generally reflects the average commodity costs. The declining block rate, which reduces the rate as more water is consumed, may encourage water usage and discourage conservation. The inverted block rate, which charges more as the consumption increases, encourages conservation, but may not provide revenue stability for the utility if not combined with other rates. Some jurisdictions have a summer rate or seasonal structures that charge more when water is less plentiful. Others have drought provisions that go into effect when there is a water shortage. It is also common to correlate sewer charges to water use; the higher the water consumption the greater the sewer charge. This page lists several water rates from jurisdictions across Washington that exemplify water conservation.

  • Bellevue Utility Rates - Drinking water charges are based on the size of the meter and amount of water used. Water use is billed in units of 100 cubic feet (1ccf). 100 cubic feet of water equals 748 gallons.
  • Buckley Ordinance No. 01-08 (Adobe Acrobat Document) - Adopts tiered and seasonal water rates
  • Colville Municipal Code Sec. 13.04.150, Water rates - Summer (May to October) and Winter (November to April)
  • Friday Harbor Municipal Code Sec. 13.05.060 (Adobe Acrobat Document) - Drought Water Rates
  • Kent Municipal Code Sec. 7.02 .300 - Water rates within the City (Seasonal rates Oct 1-April 30, May 1-Sept 30)
  • Lacey A Look at Tiered Water Rates (Adobe Acrobat Document), Lacey Life, 04/2007
  • Tacoma Water Rates - Separate rates for winter and summer months
  • Tumwater Water Rates - Base rate plus consumption charge
  • Vancouver Municipal Code Sec. 14.04.210, Water service - Monthly base charge plus a volume charge
  • Woodinville Water Rates, 2008 - Base rate plus consumption charge
  • Yelm Ordinance No. 891, passed 04/2008 (Adobe Acrobat Document) - Adds a seasonal irrigation rate to irrigation meters and residential meters