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Rates & Connection Fees
Protecting public health, delivering high-quality clean drinking water, and thoroughly treating collected water are the Public Utilities Department's (PUD) highest priorities. These goals guide every decision we make, including determining when and at what rate an increase is required in our water and sewer rate structures.
PUD uses funds collected from water bills to reinvest in water infrastructure, meet increasing regulatory requirements to protect our environment, and ensure sustainability in our water supply. A long-term approach to funding these investments relies upon small, incremental rate increases. On July 1, 2023, a scheduled rate increase will occur in the amounts displayed here. Current rates (in effect until July 1) and new rates are displayed side by side in the tables below.
We value the trust you place in the utility to invest in your system so we can work hard every day to deliver on our promise of reliable water and sewer service. Learn more about a few of our current water and sewer projects underway and only possible with capital investments.
How your residential bill is calculated
Residential water use is billed on a four-tiered pricing system, based on annual average (AA) water use for accounts active for one or more years, or 100 gallons a day multiplied by the number of days in the billing cycle, whichever is greater. When applicable, outdoor water use meter readings from irrigation meters are combined with indoor use in calculating the AA. The minimum AA is 3,000 gallons per month.
If you are a new residential customer, your AA will be calculated based on a two-person household with an average use of 50 gallons a day per person. If you have more than two people in your household, you can request an adjustment. To do so, you must complete and submit a water service request and affidavit form to:
Water Business Office
124 E. Hancock Ave.
Athens, GA 30601
| Residential Water Rate Structure | July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023 Rates |
|
| Tier 1 - Annual Average (AA) AA water use is calculated at a rate of: | $6.25 per 1,000 gallons | $6.44 per 1,000 gallons | |
| Tier 2 - Up to 50% over AA Additional water use up to 50% over the AA is calculated at a rate of: | $7.81 per 1,000 gallons |
| |
| Tier 3 - Between 51% - 99% over AA Additional water use of more than 51% up to 99% over AA is calculated at a rate of: | $9.38 per 1,000 gallons |
| |
| Tier 4 - More than 100% over AA Additional water use of more than 100% over the AA is calculated at a rate of: | $15.61 per 1,000 gallons |
|
| Sewer Rates | July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023 Rates | July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024 Rates |
| Residential sewer use is equal to 100% of water consumption | $7.91 per 1,000 gallons |
|
Customer Service Fee | July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023 Rates | July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024 Rates |
Monthly customer service fees cover the overhead costs for meter reading, fixed costs, and billing operations.
|
Meter Fee | July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023 Rates | July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024 Rates |
| A monthly meter fee covers the cost of meter maintenance and upgrades. The meter fee is billed based on meter size. Residential homes typically have a 3/4-inch water meter. |
| Meter Size | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3/4 inch | $0.52 | $0.52 |
| 1 inch | $1.15 | $1.15 |
| 1.5 inch | $3.62 | $3.62 |
| 2 inch | $28.11 | $28.11 |
| 3 inch | $38.20 | $38.20 |
| 4 inch | $52.89 | $52.89 |
| 6 inch | $130.32 | $130.32 |
| 8 inch | $172.50 | $172.50 |
Irrigation Meter Rates | |
| Sewer | Because water from a separate irrigation meter does not enter the sanitary sewer system, no sewer charges apply to water consumed through this meter. |
| Water | Water passing through a household meter and separate irrigation meter are combined and billed on the four-tiered pricing system. |
How your non-residential bill is calculated
All non-residential water use (except irrigation) will be billed at a Uniform Tier 1 rate. The annual average* (AA) does not apply to commercial, industrial, institutional, multi-family, and other accounts with meters larger than 3/4 inch.
| Non-Residential Water Rates | July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023 Rates | July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024 Rates |
| Uniform Rate All billed at Tier 1 costs | $6.25 per 1,000 gallons | $6.44 per 1,000 gallons |
| Sewer Rates | July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023 Rates | July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024 Rates |
| Residential sewer use is equal to 100% of water consumption | $7.91 per 1,000 gallons | $8.14 per 1,000 gallons |
Customer Service Fees | July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023 Rates | July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024 Rates |
Monthly customer service fees cover the overhead costs for meter reading, fixed costs, and billing operations.
|
Meter Fee | July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023 Rates | July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024 Rates |
| A monthly meter fee covers the cost of meter maintenance and upgrades. The meter fee is billed based on meter size. |
| Meter Size | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3/4 inch | $0.52 | $0.52 |
| 1 inch | $1.15 | $1.15 |
| 1.5 inch | $3.62 | $3.62 |
| 2 inch | $28.11 | $28.11 |
| 3 inch | $38.20 | $38.20 |
| 4 inch | $52.89 | $52.89 |
| 6 inch | $130.32 | $130.32 |
| 8 inch | $172.50 | $172.50 |
| Irrigation Meter Rates | |
| Sewer | Because water from a separate irrigation meter does not enter the sanitary sewer system, no sewer charges apply to water consumed through this meter. |
| Water | A separate irrigation meter for outdoor water use is billed at the Tier 4 rate. |
Charges to Establish New Water & Sewer Services
Whether you are a homeowner, business owner, developer, or contractor who wants to hook up to the public water and/or sewer system, the Public Utilities Department is committed to serving your needs and making the process as efficient as possible.
Customers applying for a new water tap and/or sewer tap should allow four to six weeks for the installation to be completed. If you have any questions or would like a quote for your connection fees, please contact Engineering Management at (706) 613-3490.
| Water Connection Fee |
Water connection fees are paid when a building’s plumbing facilities are connected to the Athens-Clarke County public water system. While this normally applies to new construction of houses or commercial property, water connection fees may also be required when existing buildings or businesses are modified in a way that results in additional water demands. This one-time fee covers the fair share of the cost of these capital assets which are needed to deliver clean and safe drinking water.
The following water connection fees will go into effect July 1, 2023.
| Meter Size | Meter Charge | Stub Charge - Short side | Stub Charge - Long side | Connection Fee |
| 3/4 inch | $345 | $1,193 | $2,299 | $2,500 |
| 1 inch | $523 | $1,417 | $2,530 | $6,250 |
| 1 1/2 inch | $765 | $1,947 | $3,106 | $12,500 |
| 2 inch | $1,564 | $2,688 | $3,725 | $20,000 |
| 3 inch | $3,439 | Cost determined by job | Cost determined by job | $40,000 |
| 4 inch | $8,655 | Cost determined by job | Cost determined by job | $62,500 |
| 6 inch | $13,427 | Cost determined by job | Cost determined by job | Calculated per connection |
| 8 inch | $15,122 | Cost determined by job | Cost determined by job | Calculated per connection |
| Sewer Connection Fee | July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023 | July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024 |
| Sewer connection fees are paid when a building’s plumbing facilities are connected to the Athens-Clarke County public sewer system. While this normally applies to new construction of houses or commercial property, sewer connection fees may also be required when existing buildings or businesses are modified in a way that results in additional wastewater being generated. This one-time fee covers the fair share of the cost of these capital assets which are needed to collect, treat, and safely recycle or dispose of wastewater. | ||
| Meter Size | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/4 inch | $3,100 | $3,875 | |
| 1 inch | $7,750 | $9,688 | |
| 1.5 inch | $15,500 | $19,375 | |
| 2 inch | $24,800 | $31,000 | |
| 3 inch | $49,600 | $62,000 | |
| 4 inch | $77,500 | $96,875 | |
| 6 inch | $155,000 | Calculated per connection | |
| 8 inch | Calculated per connection | Calculated per connection | |
| Sewer connection fee for multifamily construction | 3/4 inch sewer connection fee multiplied by 0.6 multiplied by the number of units |
| |
| Sewer Stub Fee | July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023 | July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024 |
| 4 inch | $815* | $850* |
| 6 inch | $1,575* | $1,625* |
| *Plus casing and manhole, if required. |
| Other Charges | July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023 | July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024 |
These fees are charged for the review of new development plans and for water system and sewer system evaluations.
| Development Permit Application Fee | $100 per permit | $125 per permit |
| Development Plan Review | $150 per plan set | $150 per plan set |
| Water System Evaluation | $50 per connection | $50 per connection |
| Sewer System Evaluation | $150 per connection | $150 per connection |
| Water Line Inspection | $1.15 per linear foot | $1.20 per linear foot |
| Sewer Line Inspection | $2.65 per linear foot | $2.80 per linear foot |
| Other Charges | July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023 | July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024 |
| Paving Cut | $600 | $650 |
| Bull Head Connection | $100* *Plus additional amounts as determined by the PUD Director, that reflect the cost of labor, equipment, and other materials for the job, if required. | $100* *Plus additional amounts as determined by the PUD Director, that reflect the cost of labor, equipment, and other materials for the job, if required. |
| Fire Hydrant Meter Rental | $152 For water usage of 11,220 gallons. Water usage above 11,220 gallons will be charged per 1,000 gallons at the non-residential outdoor water use rate. | $155 For water usage of 11,220 gallons. Water usage above 11,220 gallons will be charged per 1,000 gallons at the non-residential outdoor water use rate. |
| GDOT Right-of-Way Encroachment Permit | $160 | $160 |
| Casing or additional amount for paving | Cost determined by job | Cost determined by job |