Sewer Rate and Bills
I want to:
• Pay my sewer bill
• Know when to expect my sewer bill
• Understand my sewer bill
• Sewer billing policies & forms (low income, vacant homes, new customer rates, etc) • Frequently Asked Questions
• Review proposed sewer rate increase
• Notice of Sewer Rate Increase and Public Hearing -PUBLIC HEARING DATE CHANGED TO APRIL 26, 2022 • Public Hearing Information for Sewer Rate Increase
• Financial Rate Study for Proposed Sewer Rate Increase • Public Information Events
• How to File a Protest (link to example form)
• Summary of Proposed Sewer Rates
• Impact on your single-family home bill
• Reduce your Sewer Bill & Conserve Water - Helpful Links • Contact us
Pay My Sewer Bill
• Do you get a bill from the City of Chula Vista? Yes: Please visit the Finance Department to pay your sewer bill. For questions on your bill please call 619-691-5771 or email [email protected].
• Do you get a bill from the Otay Water District with City of Chula Vista Sewer charges? Yes: Please visit the Otay Water District to pay your bill. For questions on the sewer charges please call: 619-476-5380 or email [email protected]. • Sewer charges may be included on your tax bill. Click here for a map of properties charged for sewer through the tax bill. For questions on .... sewer portion of your tax bill please call 866-504-2067 or email [email protected].
Know when to expect my sewer bill
• Sweetwater Authority customers (Western Chula Vista) receive a bill every other month from the City's Finance Department. • Otay Water District Customers (Eastern Chula Vista) are billed monthly through the Otay Water District. • Property Tax Bill customers (Southern Chula Vista) see a line item on their annual property tax bill. • If you do not currently receive a sewer bill and are connected to the sewer, please contact us immediately at (619) 476-5380 or [email protected].
Understand my sewer bill
The sewer service charge was established by the City Council in 1962 to pay for the operation and maintenance of the sewer collection system and sewage treatment. All residents connected to the City's sewer system pay the service charge.
The City provides sewer service to about 50,000 residential and commercial customers. Monthly sewer rates charged to system users (customers) are the primary source of revenue to operate and maintain the sewer system and are used for this purpose. Sewer rate revenue provides funding for operation and maintenance of City-owned sewer collection and conveyance facilities, capital projects, debt service, administration, as well as costs related to prudent long-term operation and financial management of the utility system, such as maintaining adequate reserves and planning for contingencies. Since the City does not operate its own wastewater treatment facilities, sewer rate revenue is also used to pay for wastewater treatment provided by the City of San Diego Metropolitan Wastewater Authority (Metro).
In 2013, a financial rate study was completed by an independent consultant to evaluate the financial condition of the sewer utility, specifically the ability of current sewer rates to generate sufficient revenue to cover the costs of the sewer utility. 2013 Cost of Service and Rate Study for Sewer Service (Report). The current rates were passed in December 2013.
The City of Chula Vista has 3 user classes (1) Single Family, (2) Multi-family and (3) Commercial. Those not fitting one of the standard user classes or billing systems can apply for a variance (CVMC 13.14.130). The fee for each user class includes a fixed service charge and a volume charge which depends on water usage. Although not part of the sewer charge, the storm drain fee is included on the same bill as the sewer charges and is included in the sewer bill information.
The current fees can be found in the City's Chapter 12 of the Master Fee Schedule.
Single-family Residential Rates
Fixed Service Charge. The single-family rate has a fixed fee.
Volume Charge. The variable charge is based on the average winter potable water usage and multiplied by the volume charge in the Master Fee Schedule. Water consumption is reviewed between November 1st and April 30th when most customers turn off their sprinklers and irrigation is at its yearly low. The winter average is the average of the two lowest consecutive months of potable water used during this period and multiplied by - of return to the sewer to account for water not going into the sewer. This amount is multiplied by the volume charge and the same monthly a is charged from July 1 to June 30.
Storm Drain Fee. The storm drain fee is a flat fee for all single family residential rates.
Example Calculation for a Single Family Home with winter average monthly water consumption of 7 HCF (hundred cubic feet):
$14.37 (fixed service charge) + (90% × 7 HCF x $4.26/HCF) (volume charge) + $0.70 (storm drain fee) Multi-Family Residential Rates
Fixed Service Charge. Multi-Family Residential fixed fees are based on the water meter size with larger water meters going to larger complexes having higher charges. That annual amount is found in Chapter 12 of the Master Fee Schedule.
Volume Charge. The variable charge is based on the amount of potable water usage each month and multiplied by rate of return to the sewer as detailed in Chapter 12 of the Master Fee Schedule.
Storm Drain Fee. Multi-Family Residential fixed fees are based on the amount of potable water usage.
Commercial and Industrial Rates
Fixed Service Charge. Commercial and Industrial fixed fees are based on the water meter size. Larger water meters have higher charges which can be found in Chapter 12 of the Master Fee Schedule.
Volume Charge. The variable charge is based on the amount of potable water usage and strength of sewage each month and multiplied by rate of return to the sewer as detailed in Chapter 12 of the Master Fee Schedule.
Strength Determination:
There are three classes of sewer strength which is dependent on the level of Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Total Suspended Solids (SS) in the sewage and are evaluated on a case by case basis. Sewage with higher BOD and SS levels requires more treatment and therefore has higher rates.
Descriptions of strength categories are further explained in Section 2 of the PBS&J Report.
1. High Strength (Typical Average BOD >400 mg/L and SS >400 mg/L)
2. Medium Strength (Typical Average Values: BOD 200 to 400 mg/L and SS 200 to 400 mg/L)
3. Low Strength (Typical Average Values: BOD = 200 mg/L and SS = 200 mg/L) Storm Drain Fee. Commercial and Industrial storm drain fees are based on the amount of potable water usage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate my bill?
The sewer bill depends on your water usage and the type of customer you are (single family, commercial, etc.). Details are provided in "Una...und my sewer bill".
Why is my bill higher at my new home than my previous home in Chula Vista? New sewer accounts for single family homes are set up with a default water usage until a winter water usage is established, please see our sewer policies for more information. If you have an established water usage, you may be using more water, please consider implementing water conservation measures.
Why does my sewer bill keep going up each month?
For single family residences, new sewer usages and rates go into effect July 1 of each year and remain the same for the year. Please see "Understand my sewer bill" if you are not a single family residence.
My neighbor has more people living at his house so why is his bill lower than mine? Sewer bills for single family residents are based partially on water usage in the winter. If your bill is much higher, you may want to investigate a potential water leak by contacting a plumber or your water supplier or consider implementing water conservation measures.
Is there a senior discount?
There is no senior discount.
Review the City's proposed sewer rate increase
Notice of Sewer Rate Change and Public Hearing (required per Proposition 218) [English] [Spanish] Publie Hearing Information for Sewer Rate Increase: Tuesday, APRIL 26, 2022 at 5:00 P.M (link to information on Council Meetings). The Public Hearing has been changed from February to April; notices are in the process of being resent. Written protests previously submitted to the City need not be resubmitted and will be counted as valid protests for the rescheduled public hearing on April 26, 2022.
Financial Study for Proposed Sewer Rate Increase (Sewer Rate Study 2021). Questions can be sent via email to [email protected] or (619) 476-5380.
Public Information Events
• Wednesday, December 8, 2021 from 9:00 A.M. to 9:45 A.M. Pacific Time (US & Canada) Completed • Tuesday, December 14, 2021 from 6:00 P.M. to 6:45 P.M. Pacific Time (US & Canada) Completed How to file a protest to the proposed sewer bill changes (link to protest form) If an owner or customer of record of a parcel subject to the proposed sewer rate increases wishes to oppose the increases, the owner or custome record must submit a written protest against the proposed sewer rate increases. If written protests are filed by a majority of the affected prot parcels, the proposed rate increases will not be adopted. change, (b) the street address or Assessor's Parcel Number for the parcel(s) affected by the proposed sewer rate increases, (c) an original signature and legibly printed name of the affected record owner or customer, a protest form can be printed and filled out (link). Written protests may be mailed or hand delivered during business hours to the City Clerk at: 276 Fourth Ave., Chula Vista, CA 91910, hand delivered after business hours and deposited in the drop box located in front of the Finance Department main entrance at 276 Fourth Ave., Building A, Chula Vista, CA 91910, or hand delivered during the public hearing to City Council Chambers, located at City Hall, 276 Fourth Ave., Building A, Chula Vista, CA 91910. To be counted, written protests must be received by the City prior to the close of the above-noticed public hearing, including those written protests that are mailed to the City. Written protests that are post-marked prior to above-noticed public hearing date and time but not physically received by the City prior to the close of the above- noticed public hearing will not be counted. Faxed, emailed, or verbal protests will not be accepted as an original signature is required.
Summary of Proposed Sewer Rates
July 1. July 1, July 1, July 1,
RATE START CURRENT AT APPROVAL 2022 2023 2024 2025
RATE INCREASE 0% 0% 4.5% 5% 5% 5.5%
MONTHLY FIXED SERVICE CHARGE
Single Family $14.53 $14.53 $15.18 $15.94 $16.74 $17.66 All Others
Meter Size: 5/8" $14.53 $14.53 $15.18 $15.94 $16.74 $17.66 Meter Size: 3/4" $14.53 $14.53 $15.18 $15.94 $16.74 $17.66 Meter Size: 1" $28.49 $28.49 $29.77 $31.26 $32.82 $34.63 Meter Size: 1 ½" $51.77 $51.77 $54.10 $56.80 $59.64 $62.93 Meter Size: 2" $79.68 $79.68 $83.27 $87.43 $91.80 $96.85 Meter Size: 3' $154.15 $154.15 $161.08 $169.14 $177.59 $187.36 Meter Size: 4" $237.91 $237.91 $248.62 $261.05 $274.10 $289.17 Meter Size: 6" $470.61 $470.61 $491.70 $516.38 $542.20 $572.02 Meter Size: 8" $936.01 $936.01 $978.13 $1,027.04 $1.078.39 $1,137.70 MONTHLY VOLUME CHARGE/HCF*
Residential
Single Family $4.26 $4.26 $4.45 $4.67 $4.91 $5.18
Multi-Family $4.26 $4.26 $4.45 $4.67 $4.91 $5.18
Mobile Homes $4.26 $4.26 $4.45 $4.67 $4.91 $5.18
Non-Residential
Commercial - Low $4.26 $4.26 $4.45 $4.67 $4.91 $5.18
Commercial - Med $6.02 $6.02 $6.29 $6.61 $6.94 $7.32
Commercial - High $9.59 $9.59 $10.02 $10.52 $11.05 $11.66 Special Users Varies Varies Varies Varies Varies Varies *HCF means hundred cubic feet.
The Storm Drain Fee is not included in the sewer rate evaluation. The current Storm Drain Fee can be found in City's Chapter 12 of the Master Fee Schedule.
Impact on your single-family home bill
For a typical single-family home with a winter average water consumption of 7 HCF, the sewer bill would be:
July 1, July 1, July 1, July 1,
RATE START CURRENT AT APPROVAL 2022 2023 2024 2025
SEWER RATE $41.37 $41.37 $43.23 $45.39 $47.66 $50.28
RATE INCREASE $0.00 $0.00 $1.86 $2.16 $2.27 $2.62
Reduce your Sewer Bill & Conserve Water - Helpful Links • Water Efficiency Checks (Otay Water District, Sweetwater Authority, and CalAmerican) • Outdoor Water Smart (includes rainwater harvesting and graywater) • Home Check Ups
• Business Check Ups
• Reduce Irrigation (Water Smart SD, SD County Landscape Guide, CalAmerican, Otay, Sweetwater, EPA, CV Naturescape) Contact Us
Bi-Monthly Sweetwater Finance (619) 691-5117
Western Chula Vista Department [email protected] Authority Customers
Wastewater (619) 476-5380
Eastern Chula Vista Otay Water Customers Engineering [email protected] Tax Roll (866) 504-2067
Southern Chula Vista Property Tax Bill Customers Coordinator [email protected] For general information please call (619) 476-5380 or to contact us by e-mail, click here.