Water, Sewer, and Storm Drain Utility Rates

EFFECTIVE 06/01/2023

A RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH WATER, SEWER, AND STORM DRAIN UTILITY SERVICE RATES IN ACCORDANCE WITH 13.2.050 OCCGF, EFFECTIVE JUNE 1, 2023.

The City Commission of the City of Great Falls met and conducted a public hearing during the regular session on Tuesday, May 16th, 2023, at the Civic Center, Great Falls, Montana, at 7:00 p.m. and considered the cost of operation, equipment, facilities, debt service, and capital improvements for the Water, Sewer, and Storm Drain Systems.

The City Commission established the attached rates for Water, Sewer and Storm Drain Utility Service by passing Resolution 10498. The new rates become effective June 1, 2023, and can be viewed by clicking on the document below.
 

If you have any questions, please contact Utility Billing at (406) 727-7660 or inquire in person at the Civic Center, Room 104.

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 cf 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 cf 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 value of 300 cf 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.