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North Carolina Water & Wastewater Rates and Rate Structures

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Research conducted by the EFC and the North Carolina League of Municipalities. Funded in 2013 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and in prior years by the Public Water Supply Section of the Division of Water Resources at the NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

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Reports and Tables
For years 2005 through 2013
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Interactive Dashboards
Last updated in May 2, 2013

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View Your Utility's Rate Sheet(s)
Rates effective January 2013
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Project Description
NC Tap Fees and System Development (Impact) Charges
Results of the 2010 NC Financial Practices and Policies Survey
Related Links

Project Description

Every year, the Environmental Finance Center (EFC) and the North Carolina League of Municipalities (NCLM) collect rate schedules from hundreds of local government and not-for-profit utilities across the state. The sampled utilities serve over 95 percent of all customers who are served by public owned utilities in North Carolina. The rate schedules are used to determine what residential and commercial customers of these utilities are billed for their water, irrigation and wastewater service, at various consumption levels. Information on rates and rate structures across the state are compiled into annual reports and tables and shared among utility managers. This information can assist elected officials and staff as they make decisions related to water and wastewater services during budget preparations. Funding for this project was provided by the U.S. EPA (prior years, funding was provided by the Public Water Supply Section of the Division of Water Resources at the NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources).

For more information:
Please contact David Tucker or Shadi Eskaf at the Environmental Finance Center, or Chris Nida at the North Carolina League of Municipalities.

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Annual Summary Reports and Tables of Rates and Rate Structures

Every year, the EFC and the NCLM publish a short report summarizing the rates, rate structures and trends currently in use across the state of North Carolina. Tables list each surveyed utility's residential, irrigation and commercial rate structures and billing totals for various consumption levels.
Note: Please compare different utility rates with caution. High rates may be justified and necessary to protect public health.

Rates effective as of early (January or February):
2013 (FY12-13)
2012 (FY11-12)
2011 (FY10-11)
2010 (FY09-10)
2009 (FY08-09)
2008 (FY07-08)
2007 (FY06-07)
2006 (FY05-06)
2005 (FY04-05)

In the summary report, we answer the following questions:

Tools for Comparisons
What is this study?
How many and which utilities and types of rates are analyzed in this report?
Where can I find tools and tables I can use to help me evaluate our rates?

Current Rate Structure Designs
What are the utilities' base charges?
How much consumption is included in these base charges?
What are the most common rate structure types in North Carolina?
How do rate structures differ between commercial and residential customers?
How do rate structures differ between indoor and irrigation/outdoor rates?
For block rate structures, how much consumption is included in the first block?
How much do utilities charge per 1,000 gallons near the average consumption level?
What does the State recommend for residential rate structures?

Current Rates
How much is charged for residential consumption?
How much is charged for commercial consumption?
How much is charged for residential irrigation water?
How do rates differ based on utility size, utility type or river basin?
How do rates differ for customers inside or outside municipal boundaries?

How Rates Changed Last Year
How often do utilities change their rates?
How did residential rate structures change in the past year?
By how much did utilities raise their residential rates last year?
Did the price for high levels of consumption increase last year?

Affordability
What does the average North Carolinian pay for water and/or wastewater service?
How affordable are utility rates in North Carolina?

Financial Sustainability
Do prices reflect the true cost of water services in North Carolina?
Are high rates always bad?

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View Your Utility's Rate Sheet(s) for January 2013 (FY2012-13)

To view your utility's rate sheet for Fiscal Year 2012-13 (January 2013 rates), please select from the drop down menu. A pdf file of 2-11 pages will appear (requires Adobe Reader). Please note that some utilities may have more than one rate sheet. For example: some counties have one rate sheet per district, Raleigh has different rate sheets for different service areas, etc.

Rates effective as of January 2013. Contact the utilities directly for the latest, most accurate information.

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Related Links

All About Water and Wastewater Rates

Water System Capacity Development Support

NC Tap and Impact Fees

EFC Presents at the IWA World Water Congress in Beijing, China - September 2006

Survey of GA Water and Wastewater Rates and Rate Structures (by the EFC and GEFA)