Our Current Rates
Following are our current rates for drinking water (regular and seasonal), wastewater and stormwater, as well as fire protection charges.
DRINKING WATER & WASTEWATER TREATMENT RATES INCREASED AS OF JUNE 1, 2024
Inflation happens to wastewater utilities like it happens to everyone else. Power, materials, labor, equipment, it's all much more expensive. PFAS concerns have made sludge disposal more costly and we have focused heavily on ensuring high sewer availability so we have fewer sewer backups into homes. A backup caused by GAUD is really rare these days as a result of that investment. The investments pay off in a cleaner river which has gone from class C to class B and now hosts a half-IronMan every year. Environmental regulations work but they're not inexpensive to comply with despite our great success in securing grants.
OTHER REASONS FOR THE RATE INCREASE:
DRINKING WATER & FIRE PROTECTION
- Replace aging pumps, pipes and equipment
- Improve aging computer systems needed to operate the utility
- Increase operational resiliency by adding critical personnel
- Address the rising costs of supplies and energy
WASTEWATER
- Increased sludge disposal costs
- Replace old pump stations
- Replace aging wastewater plant equipment
- Address increasing power and supply costs
- Replace and reline failing pipes • Increase operational resiliency
DRINKING WATER RATES
Effective June 1, 2024
Accounts Billed Monthly: For all usage in excess of 100 cubic feet per month: $4.15 per 100 cubic feet (100 cubic feet = 748.1 gallons) or about $0.005 per gallon.
Minimum Charges:
| Size of Meter | Minimum Charge / Month | Water Allowance / Month (Cubic Ft.) |
|---|---|---|
| 5/8" | $19.60 | 100 |
| 3/4" | $22.80 | 100 |
| 1" | $26.03 | 100 |
| 1 1/2" | $38.05 | 100 |
| 2" | $48.48 | 100 |
| 3" | $62.11 | 100 |
| 4" | $88.60 | 100 |
| 6" | $147.16 | 100 |
| 8" | $252.24 | 100 |
FIRE PROTECTION CHARGES
Effective June 1, 2024
Municipal Fire Protection: Charge per year for fire hydrants installed as of June 1, 2024.
| Community | Number of Hydrants | Annual Charges |
|---|---|---|
| Augusta | 461.5 | $1,305,648.11 |
| Manchester | 24 | $67,899.36 |
| Winthrop | 13 | $36,778.82 |
| Chelsea | 1 | $2,829.14 |
| Vassalboro | 0.5 | $1,414.57 |
| Hallowell | 5 | $14,145.70 |
| Total | 505 | |
| Annual cost per hydrant | $2,829.14 |
Other Fire Protection Charges:
Charge per year for fire service connections to water mains.
| Size of Connection | Annual Charge |
|---|---|
| 1" | $438.49 |
| 1 1/2" | $657.83 |
| 2" | $876.79 |
| 3" | $1,315.47 |
| 4" | $1,753.96 |
| 6" | $2,630.75 |
| 8" | $3,507.73 |
| 10" | $4,384.71 |
| 12" | $5,261.69 |
WASTEWATER (SEWER) FEES
Effective June 1, 2024
| Name | Price |
|---|---|
| Wastewater Service Charge (Cost/Quarter) | $56.04 |
| Wastewater Service Charge (Cost/Month) | $18.68 |
| Wastewater User Charge, per 100 cubic feet | $6.77 |
| Wastewater Unmetered Customers (Cost/Quarter) | $177.83 |
Wastewater Permit Fees:
- Residential, $75
- Commercial, $100
- Industrial, $100
Wastewater Availability Fee (charged to new customers):
$10.00 per gallon per day or:
| Name | Price |
|---|---|
| Residential Housing | $1,000 flat fee |
| Office Building | 15 gal/day/employee X $10/gallon |
| Apartments | $750/unit |
| Retail Space | 3/4 gal/100 sq. ft X $10/gallon |
Inspection Fees: If Owner's Contractor performs all work on street Property, $50/hour for projects, $1.00/lineal foot of pipe, $50 x total number of catch basins or manholes.
STORMWATER FEES
Effective July 1, 2019
| Name | Price |
|---|---|
| Stormwater, Catch Basins (Cost/Month) | $40.59 |
| Stormwater, ERU (Equivalent Rate Unit), Cost per Unit per Month | $12.56 |
| 1 Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) = 2,700 square feet of impervious surface area |
|
| Residential | 1.00 ERU |
| Multi-Family | 0.50 ERU x number of units |
| Mobile Homes | 0.50 ERU |
| Condos | 0.75 ERU |
| Commercial | 1.00 ERU per 2,700 sq. feet impervious area, min 1.0 ERU |
| Commercial w/ Storage Detention | 0.75 ERU per 2,700 sq. feet impervious area |