Upcoming Rate Increases
On July 1, 2022, the sewer rates will increase by 3.5%. For a single-family residence this is an increase of $1.48 per month. Since the rates take effect on the 1st of the month, the first bill will be prorated. The old rate will be used for sewer usage prior to July 1st, and the new rate will be used for sewer usage after July 1st.
Please review our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for more information on this change.
Monthly Sewer Rates (Effective July 1, 2022)
Monthly Costs Per Account
| Description | Rate |
|---|---|
| Monthly Account Charge (Cost per Account) | $4.86 |
Residential Rates Per Dwelling Unit
| Description | Rate |
|---|---|
| Single Family Residential, Mobile Home on a lot | $38.31 |
| Multiple Family (2-4 Dwelling Units), one additional Dwelling Unit or Mobile Home on a lot | $29.11 |
| Apartments (5 or more Dwelling Units), Mobile Home Space in a Mobile Home Park | $25.97 |
Commercial Quantity Charge (Cost per 100 cubic feet)
| Description | Rate |
|---|---|
| Group 1-BOD + TSS is 400 mg/l or less | $3.85 |
| Group 2-BOD + TSS is 401 mg/l to 900 mg/l | $5.05 |
| Group 3-BOD + TSS is 901 mg/l to 1,400 mg/l | $6.29 |
| Group 4-BOD + TSS is 1,401 mg/l or more | $7.79 |
Industrial Charges (Additive Components)
| Description | Rate |
|---|---|
| Flow Charge ($/Million gallons) | $3,739.76 |
| BOD Charge ($/1,000 lbs) | $278.79 |
| TSS Charge ($/1,000 lbs) | $519.81 |
Septage Quantity Charge
| Description | Rate |
|---|---|
| Flow charge per 1,000 gallons | $69.35 |
CanSeg Line Charges (Additive Components)
| Description | Rate |
|---|---|
| Flow Charge ($/Million Gallons) | $2,852.34 |
| BOD Charge ($/1,000 lbs) | $19.01 |
| TSS Charge ($/1,000 lbs) | $37.46 |
- Is the rate increase comparable with other jurisdictions for similar wastewater services?
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Yes, the proposed rates are similar, and in some cases less than, those of the following areas: Salida, Stockton, Manteca, and Turlock.
Total Charge for Service in Communities
Community Total Charge Ripon $22.40 Fresno $25.75 Sacramento $31.56 Tracy $34.00 Merced $40.29 Modesto (current) $41.78 Modesto (3.5% Increase) $43.17 Manteca $43.30 Waterford $44.01 Turlock $44.16 Salida Sanitary $46.30 Stockton $46.75 Newman $46.96 Riverbank $49.48 Patterson $49.94 Tuolumne Utilities District $51.00 Ceres $59.03 Oakdale $61.27 Hughson $74.95 Lathrop $75.00 Comparison Chart
- What are the approved new sewer rates, and when will they be effective?
-
On April 12, 2022, the City Council Adopted rate increases over the next 5 years.
Approved Monthly Sewer Rate Increases by Fiscal Year
Monthly Costs Per Account
Description Effective
July 1, 2023Effective
July 1, 2024Effective
July 1, 2025Effective
July 1, 2026Monthly Account Charge (Cost per Account) $5.04 $5.22 $5.41 $5.60 Residential Rates Per Dwelling Unit
Description Effective
July 1, 2023Effective
July 1, 2024Effective
July 1, 2025Effective
July 1, 2026Single Family Residential, Mobile Home on a lot $39.65 $41.04 $42.48 $43.97 Multiple Family (2-4 Dwelling Units), one additional Dwelling Unit or Mobile Home on a lot $30.13 $31.18 $32.27 $33.40 Apartments (5 or more Dwelling Units), Mobile Home Space in a Mobile Home Park $26.88 $27.82 $28.79 $29.80 Commercial Quantity Charge (Cost per 100 cubic feet)
Description Effective
July 1, 2023Effective
July 1, 2024Effective
July 1, 2025Effective
July 1, 2026Group 1-BOD + TSS is 400 mg/l or less $3.98 $4.12 $4.26 $4.41 Group 2-BOD + TSS is 401 mg/l to 900 mg/l $5.23 $5.41 $5.60 $5.80 Group 3-BOD + TSS is 901 mg/l to 1,400 mg/l $6.51 $6.74 $6.98 $7.22 Group 4-BOD + TSS is 1,401 mg/l or more $8.06 $8.34 $8.63 $8.93 Industrial Charges (Additive Components)
Description Effective
July 1, 2023Effective
July 1, 2024Effective
July 1, 2025Effective
July 1, 2026Flow Charge ($/Million gallons) $3,870.65 $4,006.12 $4,146.33 $4,291.45 BOD Charge ($/1,000 lbs) $288.55 $298.65 $309.10 $319.92 TSS Charge ($/1,000 lbs) $538.00 $556.83 $576.32 $596.49 Septage Quantity Charge
Description Effective
July 1, 2023Effective
July 1, 2024Effective
July 1, 2025Effective
July 1, 2026Flow charge per 1,000 gallons $71.78 $74.29 $76.89 $79.58 CanSeg Line Charges (Additive Components)
Description Effective
July 1, 2023Effective
July 1, 2024Effective
July 1, 2025Effective
July 1, 2026Flow Charge ($/Million Gallons) $2,923.65 $2,996.74 $3,071.66 $3,148.45 BOD Charge ($/1,000 lbs) $19.49 $19.98 $20.48 $20.99 TSS Charge ($/1,000 lbs) $38.40 $39.36 $40.34 $41.35 - Why are sewer rates being raised?
-
Sewer rate increases are necessary for:
- Construction projects to correct existing deficiencies and replace aging infrastructure
- Proportional adjustments to fairly reflect wastewater flow and treatment needs of each customer class (residential, commercial, industrial, Cannery Segregation)
- Increasing reliability of the current system
- Upgrading the wastewater treatment system
- Where can I view a copy of the Wastewater Rate Study?
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Copies of the Wastewater Rate Study can be downloaded from our website or picked up in person at City Hall at 1010 Tenth Street, 4th Floor, Suite 4600 in the Utilities Department.
- Who do I call if I have questions?
-
Billing & Account Changes
Contact Utility Billing & Collections at 209-577-5395
Proposed wastewater rate increases
Contact Utilities Department at 209-577-5462
You can also reach the team by Emailing Staff Members.
- How much will my deposit be?
-
A deposit may be required to establish service with the City of Modesto. Based on guidelines provided by the State of California, a deposit is not to exceed three times the average monthly bill for the property address. A deposit will also be added to active utility accounts if service is disconnected for non-payment. The deposit shall be applied to the closing bill upon the discontinuation of services and any remaining credit will be refunded. Residential $200 Commercial (based on average monthly billing of location)
- When will my Utility Bill become delinquent?
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Bills are due and payable upon receipt and become delinquent at the end of each billing cycle in which they are issued. If not received in our office by payment due date, bills are delinquent and subject to additional fees and disconnection. If services are turned off for non-payment, payment of all balances owing plus fees will be required to restore service. Checks are not accepted for accounts once a final notice has been mailed. Payments received after 3 p.m. on accounts that are disconnected, will not have the service restored until the following business day. Only City personnel are authorized to disconnect and/or reconnect service. Unauthorized tampering/damage could delay restoration of services up to one week and result in additional fees.
- Do I need Garbage service?
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All premises within the City of Modesto service area are required to have garbage service for the protection of the public health, safety and welfare pursuant to Modesto Municipal Code 5-5.101. For service issues, please contact your garbage company directly.
- How do I find out more about Groundwater Sustainability?
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To learn more about Groundwater Sustainability view our Frequently Asked Questions.
- When will I receive a Delinquent notice?
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Delinquent notices will be mailed on past due accounts allowing 30 days for payment to be received to avoid disconnection. Checks are not accepted for accounts once a final notice has been mailed. The entire balance as stated on the final notice is required to avoid disconnection.
Note: Water, sewer, and storm drain charges are considered "ready to use" and will continue to be billed monthly as long as the utility account is open. Only water consumption is based on usage. Services where the water is off for non-payment are still connected to City systems and the charges will continue to be billed. Garbage service is not discontinued when water is turned off for non-payment, and the charges will continue to be billed.
- How do I dispute my bill?
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Accounts should be paid under written protest prior to delinquency to ensure that additional fees are not assessed or service is disconnected. A formal Request for Review form must be completed and submitted within 30 days from the date the disputed charges are billed. This form can be obtained by speaking to a Revenue Collections and Compliance (Customer Service) Representative at 209-577-5395 or visiting our office located at 1010 10th Street, Suite 2100, Modesto, CA 95354. Completed written dispute forms can be delivered in person at our office, or addressed to: City of Modesto - Collections Division, P.O. Box 767, Modesto, CA, 95353
- How much is a Return Payment fee?
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A return payment fee of $25 will be imposed for all items returned by the bank unpaid and the service may be subject to immediate disconnection.
- When will I receive my Final Closing Bill?
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A service person will be sent within two working days following the termination of your utility account to obtain a final meter reading. Your prorated final bill will be mailed approximately one week from the closing date.
- Who is my Garbage Company?
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Your garbage company is determined by which street you live on.
View the map to find your address and contact your company for more information. Gilton Solid Waste can be reached at 209-527-3781 or Bertolotti Disposal 209-537-6911.
- What do I do if my service has been disconnected?
-
If services are turned off for non-payment, payment of all balances owing plus fees will be required to restore service. Checks are not accepted for accounts once a final notice has been mailed.
- Payments must be made before 3p.m. and verified with a Revenue Collections and Compliance (Customer Service) Clerk for same day reconnect.
- Payments received after 3 p.m. on accounts that are disconnected, will not have the service restored until the following business day.
- Only City personnel are authorized to disconnect and/or reconnect service. Unauthorized tampering/damage could delay restoration of services up to one week and result in additional fees.