Rates
Effective for billing periods beginning Jan 1, 2025 or later.
The general philosophy used to establish rates is to recover the cost of operations and maintenance including cost for staff, treatment chemicals, utilities, ongoing repair and maintenance of facilities, water acquisition, and debt service. Rates are reviewed during the budget process each year and a public hearing on the budget and rates is held at the November board meeting. New rates generally go into effect the first billing period beginning after January 1.
Water Rates per 1,000 gallons:
| Usage of Budget | Residential Summertime | Residential Wintertime | Nonresidential/ Multi-Family Indoor Only | Nonresidential/ Multi-Family Irrigation Only |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $5.32 | $5.32 | $4.61 | $5.44 | |
| 100 to 120% | $7.16 | $7.16 | $6.23 | $7.38 |
| 120 to 140% | $10.87 | $7.16 | $6.23 | $12.82 |
| 140% + | $16.44 | $11.84 | $10.83 | $21.76 |
Drought Rates
Due to extreme drought conditions in 2021, the Highlands Ranch Water Board of Directors directed staff to prepare a drought rate schedule. Moving forward, drought rates will be part of the rate calculation process. There are identified rates for Stage 1 and Stage 2 drought conditions. If drought conditions occur, the Board of Directors could declare a drought stage that would cause these rates to go into effect.
Drought rates are subject to change due to, but not limited to, water supply conditions such as drought and the provision of sufficient funds for the operation of Highlands Ranch Water.
Water Rates per 1,000 gallons:
| Usage of Budget | Residential Summertime | Nonresidential/ Multi-Family Indoor Only |
|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 Rate - 101 to 120% | $8.95 | $9.23 |
| Stage 1 Rate - 121 to 140% | $13.59 | $16.03 |
| Stage 2 Rate - 101 to 120% | $10.74 | $11.07 |
| Stage 2 Rate - 121 to 140% | $16.31 | $19.23 |
More information on how water budget are established for each property can be found on the Water Budget page.
$44.17 base plus a charge of $4.75 per 1,000 gallons of wintertime water usage above 3,000 gallons. This is re-evaluated each spring. All new accounts start at a minimum until wintertime usage can be used to calculate their next billing period for budgeting wastewater for the following year.
$22.09 base plus a charge of $4.75 per 1,000 gallons of wintertime water usage above 1,500 gallons. This is re-evaluated each spring. All new accounts start at a minimum until wintertime usage can be used to calculate their next billing period for budgeting wastewater for the following year.
$14.96 x 3/4" EQUIVALENT + $4.75 x 80% actual usage
$38.33 per bi-monthly residential billing
$11.88 x number of units per monthly billing (Multi-Family)
$19.17 per ¾” equivalent (non-residential)
$2.64 per bi-monthly residential billing
$1.32/month x the number units for multi-family
$1.98/month for commercial property for every 3,000 square feet of impervious area
This charge is necessary to cover the costs of design, construction and maintenance of storm water facilities, ensure compliance with federal environment regulations, maintain water quality detention areas and educate the public about storm water management.
$6.70 on each bi-monthly residential billing
$1.00 per unit for multi-family
$1.00 for every 7,500 square feet of lot size for commercial property
This charge is intended to recover the costs paid by the Metro District to Xcel Energy for street light electricity and maintenance. The residential fee is set to recover cost of street lights on both arterial and residential streets. The commercial fee is set to recover cost of arterial street lights only.
*To report a streetlight outage write down the pole number, cross streets and call Xcel Energy Customer Service at 1-800-895-1999, this will allow them to put in a work order to their local crews.
A fixed fee designed to ensure the district can fund future infrastructure projects to provide the community with safe drinking water and reliable wastewater service .
Residential - single family (monthly) = $7.50
Residential multi family (monthly) = $7.50 x number of units
Nonresidential per 3/4" equivalent (monthly) = $7.50