Rates and Billing Dates
Utility bills are for water and sewer services received in the prior two months and are mailed out bi-monthly.
All water service in the District is metered. Water use from 0-600 cubic feet per billing period is covered by the base rate. Average water use over the duration of two months for one person is about 600 cubic feet. If more than 600 cubic feet are used, customers are charged per 100 cubic feet. To encourage water conservation, the charge per 100 cubic feet increases if over 2,500 cubic feet are used, Water usage typically increases during the summer months.
The sewer portion of your bill accounts for the majority of the base rate. Sewer costs to the District are based upon the volume of sewage sent to the City of Bellingham for treatment. All District customers pay the same bi-monthly water and sewer rates.
Many district customers, especially those who have just moved to the area, have questions about what makes up the cost of their bi-monthly bill. For more detailed information about how rates are set, please click here.
Current Rates (every two months)
| Service | Rate |
|---|---|
| Water | $86.79 |
| Sewer | $191.71 |
| Total Base Rate | $278.50 |
| Water Usage Over 600 Cubic Feet up to 2,500 (per 100 cubic feet) | $12.31 |
| Water Usage Over 2,500 Cubic Feet (per 100 cubic feet) | $15.40 |
Calculating Water Consumption
- The following applies to calculating water consumption only. Sewer charges are billed at a flat rate of $191.71 per Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) regardless of volume.
- On the left side of your bill, you will see the meter number, followed by meter readings and consumed cubic feet (‘consumed’).
- If the total amount of water consumed is equal to or less than 600 cubic feet, your water consumption is included in the base rate for service. Refer to the rate table above for our current rates for service.
- If the total amount of water consumed is 601-2500 cubic feet, apply the following to figure out your consumption charges:
- Subtract 600 from the total amount of water consumed. This is included in your base rate.
- Multiply the remainder by 0.1231. This is your consumption charge. This amount is in addition to the basic rate for service.
- EXAMPLE:
- Adam used 950 cubic feet of water.
- 600 cubic feet are included in his base charge of $86.79
- 950 – 600 = 350
- 350 cubic feet are billed at the consumption rate of $12.31 per 100 cubic feet for a total of $43.09 (350 x $0.1231)
- Mary’s total water fees will be $129.88 ($86.79 + $43.09)
- If the total amount of water consumed is 2501 cubic feet or higher, apply the following to figure out your consumption charges:
- Subtract 2500 from the total amount of water consumed. The first 600 cubic feet are included in your base rate.
- Usage from 601-2500 cubic feet of your total consumption will be billed at the second tier rate of 0.1231/cubic foot.
- Multiply the remainder by 0.1540. This is your consumption charge. This amount is in addition to the basic rate for service.
- EXAMPLE:
- Mary used 3200 cubic feet of water.
- 600 cubic feet are included in her base charge of $86.79
- 3200 – 600 = 2600
- 1900 cubic feet are billed at the consumption rate for 600-2500 cubic feet, which is $233.89 (1900 x $0.1231).
- 2600 – 1900 = 700
- The remaining 700 cubic feet are billed at $15.40 per 100 cubic feet, for a total of $107.80 (700 x $0.1540).
- Mary’s total water fees will be $428.48 ($86.79 + $233.89 + $107.80)
Billing Cycle for Geneva and North Shore Service Areas
| Service for | Billing Date | Due Date |
|---|---|---|
| January – February | March 1st | March 25th |
| March – April | May 1st | May 25th |
| May – June | July 1st | July 25th |
| July – August | September 1st | September 25th |
| September – October | November 1st | November 25th |
| November – December | January 1st | January 25th |
Billing Cycle for Sudden Valley Service Area
| Service for | Billing Date | Due Date |
|---|---|---|
| February – March | April 1st | April 25th |
| April – May | June 1st | June 25th |
| June – July | August 1st | August 25th |
| August – September | October 1st | October 25th |
| October – November | December 1st | December 25th |
| December – January | February 1st | February 25th |
Reduced Rates
In 2014, the Board of Commissioners passed Resolution 807, Establishing Policies for the Administration of the Newly Adopted Low-Income Senior/Disabled Reduced Rate Effective January 1, 2015.
The District offers reduced rates to qualified low-income senior and disabled customers for water and sewer utilities provided by the District. In order to qualify for these rates, the property owner must provide written documentation from the Whatcom County Assessor’s Office demonstrating that the applicant is currently approved for a property tax exemption under the “Property tax exemption program for senior citizens and disabled persons.” For further qualifications, or to apply for reduced rates, please see the below application.