 |
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. |
 |
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.
Back to top
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?
Back to top
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.
Back to top
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)
|
