Water, Sewer, and Storm Drain Utility Rates

Utility Rate Adjustment

The City of Great Falls conducted a public hearing on June 3, 2025 for Resolution 10574 establishing residential and commercial water, sewer, and storm drain utility service rates, effective July 1, 2025. The increases are necessary to provide adequate revenue to finance the capital improvements program, to meet debt service coverage requirements and to maintain appropriate reserves. A recording of this meeting is available here.

What Are the New Rates?

Utility Rates Effective 7/1/2025

Below is the expected impact of the rate increase based on an average water bill.

Residential Customers – Monthly Impact

• Water: +$4.89 (21.17%) → From $23.20 to $28.09
• Sewer: +$7.61 (26.26%) → From $28.91 to $36.52
• Storm Drain: +$5.11 (57.6%) → From $8.34 to $13.45
• Total Monthly Increase: +$17.61 (27%) → From $60.45 to $78.06

Commercial Customers – Monthly Impact

• Water: +$15.41 → From $72.69 to $88.10
• Sewer: +$24.51 → From $92.22 to $116.73
• Storm Drain: +$6.90 → From $11.96 to $18.86
• Total Monthly Increase: +$46.82 (27%)

Utility bills for this period of time will be prorated, meaning that any water used before July 1st, 2025 will be billed at the previous rate, and any water used July 1st, 2025 and onward will be billed at the new rate. You may see two different lines on you water bill noting the difference in rates.

For more information about the utility rate increase, including our plan for improvements to our city infrastructure, please visit this press release from the city manager's office.

Is Help Available?

Yes. We don’t want anyone to go without essential services:

Utility Share Program

• For residents facing shutoff or financial hardship
• Administered by Opportunities, Inc.
• Call (406) 761-0310 to apply

LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program)

• May help offset energy and utility costs for low-income households
• Often available to those receiving SNAP, SSI, or TANF benefits
• Contact your local Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) or Opportunities, Inc.

Flexible Payment Options

• Contact the Utility Billing Office at (406) 727-7660 to ask about payment plans or budget billing.

Winter Quarter Average (WQA)

The City of Great Falls charges for residential sewer consumption based on a winter quarter average or WQA.  Winter consumption is a good indication of indoor residential use as residents are not typically irrigating when it’s cold outside.  Most of the water that goes through the water meter goes through the sewer system.

The City calculates the WQA value by averaging the water consumption in December, January, February and March.  We encourage all residential users to monitor their water consumption during the winter months as higher consumption will affect your sewer rate.  Residential sewer charges are recalculated prior to the May billing cycle to determine the monthly sewer consumption charge for the May through April billing cycles. The City charges a base fee for the sewer service and a consumption charge.  On the monthly billing statement, the charges are combined into one total and the usage is reflected. Residential users are charged $9.02 per month for the sewer service and $2.48 per 100 cubic feet for the consumption.

High consumption due to leaks may be eliminated from the calculation.  The high read may be thrown out and a 3 month average used.  Customers are encouraged to contact the City of Great Falls Utilities Department to notify the department of any leak and when it was fixed.  High reads will only be eliminated from the calculation if the consumption decreases or if the consumer furnishes a receipt indicating that the issue has been resolved.

New owners and new tenants without any consumption history will be given a value of 650 cubic feet until consumption history exists in which to calculate an actual WQA. This is based on actual average water consumption in the City of Great Falls.

Customers will be given a WQA of 300 cubic feet if the resident is a "snowbird" or if the property is vacant.

Commercial accounts are exempt from WQA unless a WQA application is completed and approved. Applications are available in the Utilities Department.

If you have any questions, please contact a City of Great Falls Utility Billing Clerk at (406) 727-7660. We are located in the Civic Center, Room 104.