Water and Wastewater rates

(Effective Jan. 1, 2020) There were no rate changes in 2021, and 2022. No rate change will occur in 2023.  

The water utility is funded solely by the rates and fees it assesses and collects. No property tax dollars are used to fund water and wastewater operations.

Rates are per 100 cubic feet or CCF. One CCF equals 748.1 gallons.

Water and wastewater rates have two components - a volume charge and fixed monthly service charge based on water meter size. 

Water

Water Volume Rates

Customer Class

Monthly Volume

Inside city limits rate

Outside city limits rate

Residential First 6 CCF $2.19/CCF $2.74/CCF
>6 to 18 CCF $3.07/CCF $3.84/CCF
>18 to 30 CCF $3.92/CCF $4.90/CCF
>30 CCF $4.73/CCF $5.91/CCF
Irrigation
> First 100 CCF $3.01/CCF $3.76/CCF
>100 CCF $3.90/CCF $4.88/CCF
Commercial All volumes $2.69/CCF $3.36/CCF
Industrial All volumes $2.61/CCF $3.26/CCF
Gas Well Drilling All volumes $5.85/CCF $7.31/CCF

 

Monthly Service Charge

This charge is based on the size of the water meter.

 Meter Size

Inside City Limits

Outside City Limits

 5/8-inch x 3/4-inch $12.10 $15.13
 3/4-inch x 3/4-inch $12.35 $15.44
 1-inch $25.55 $31.94
 1 1/2-inch  $48.00 $60.00
 2-inch $75.00 $93.75
 3-inch $198.40 $248.00
 4-inch $339.80 $424.75
 6-inch $721.45 $901.81
 8-inch $1,260.20 $1,575.25
 10-inch $1,888.75 $2,360.94

 

Wastewater

Wastewater Volume Rates

Customer Class

Inside city limit rates

Outside city limit rates

Residential $4.17/CCF $5.21/CCF
Non-monitored Commercial and Industrial $4.06/CCF $5.08/CCF
Monitored Commercial and Industrial - volume $2.36/CCF $2.95/CCF
Monitored Commercial and Industrial - BOD $0.2738/lb. $0.3423/lb.
Monitored Commercial and Industrial - TSS $0.1841/lb. $0.2301/lb.

  

Wastewater Monthly Service Charge

This charge is based on the size of the water meter.

Meter Size 

Inside City Limits

Outside City Limits

5/8-inch x 3/4-inch $6.85 $8.56
3/4-inch x 3/4-inch $7.15 $8.94
1-inch $12.60 $15.75
1 1/2-inch $22.25 $27.81
2-inch $33.75 $42.19
3-inch $86.65 $108.31
4-inch $147.20 $184.00
6-inch $310.60 $388.25
8-inch $541.30 $676.63
10-inch $810.40 $1,013.00
12-inch $1,013.00 $1,266.25

 

Additional information

Looking to save on your water bill? Remember that the amount of water used during the winter quarter determines your monthly sewer charge for the upcoming year.

Fort Worth uses a winter quarter average to determine your billable sewer flow. Household water use in December, January and February is averaged to establish the monthly wastewater volume assessed to your account.

Using less water during this time lowers your wastewater charge. Most people achieve savings during this time by watering their lawns and landscapes less, or completely turning off their irrigation system. Grass should hibernate during the cold weather and we do not want your irrigation lines to freeze and burst.

The updated winter quarter average volume begins on your April water bill. 

All meters measure the amount of water used in cubic feet. One cubic foot equals 7.481 gallons. Rates are per 100 cubic feet (CCF) which equals 748.1 gallons.

The Water Department reads both analog and digital meters at customer premises every month. This is a critical step in tracking and accurately billing for water that is used. Meters are read every business day in some part of the city, so your reading will not be calculated based on the calendar month.

See below for instructions on how to read your analog or digital meter. As you proceed, please note that all Fort Worth meters measure the amount of water used in cubic feet. The Water Department measures water use in CCF or hundred cubic feet. One hundred cubic feet is equal to 748.1 gallons. Be aware that the amount you are billed will not match the reading exactly unless you read the meter at the same time as the meter reader.

Analog meter image Analog Meter

Your analog water meter has a set of numbers similar to the odometer in your car, and the numbers spin as you use water. Simply read the numbers to know how many cubic feet of water you have used. In the illustrated example, the meter indicates that 7,896 cubic feet of water have been used. This number represents a starting point. At the end of the month, read the meter again. Subtract 7,896 from the end-of-the-month reading to find out how many cubic feet were used during the month.

The meter has a sweep hand and the numbers 0-9 arranged clockwise around the face, as shown in the illustration. One revolution of the sweep hand represents one cubic foot of water used. The meter face also has a leak indicator. This indicator may look like a triangle or gear on the left, or a two-color wheel in the center of the meter face. To determine a leak, turn off all water. If the indicator is moving, water is going through the meter, which means that a leak is possible.

Digital Meter

Digitial meter image If your water meter was replaced recently, you received a digital meter. These water meters feature an electronic display and have a number of advancements including greater reliability and higher-resolution readings.

The numbers on the screen show your water usage. In the illustration, 7,896.011 is the amount of water that has passed through the meter. To calculate your usage for the month, take the value of your first reading for the month and then subtract that from the end of the month number.

There are other helpful indicators on your digital water meter display. The 5/8” in the example above represents the size of the meter. "CF" indicates the meter records water use in cubic feet. When the flag icon is lit, it means that there may be a leak on the customer's side of the meter. Lastly, if the battery icon is on, the meter's electronic register has a low battery. The Water Department is responsible for replacing the batteries, which are expected to last about 20 years. Also, please note the wires attached to the meter are not in use at this time.

Submetering

The water utility does not submeter apartments units, condominiums, strip shopping centers and manufactured home communities. Fort Worth water utility master meters and bills the entire facility.

How the cost for water and wastewater is passed along to the individual tenants is the landlord’s decision. They can choose to submeter or allocate billing of water and wastewater rates to tenants.

Contacting the PUC

The Public Utility Commission of Texas has rules and regulatory practices for this. The local utility is not directly involved in these matters and has no authority in dispute intervention or resolution.

The Public Utility Commission of Texas has a toll-free consumer complaints hotline: 1-888-782-8477.