Proposed FY 2027 & FY 2028 Rates

Proposed rate changes for fiscal year 2027 and fiscal year 2028, beginning October 1, 2026 and October 1, 2027, respectively.

This is the sixth time that DC Water presented a multi-year rate proposal covering the period of FY 2027 and FY 2028. The projected benefits include (1) greater revenue certainty, (2) increased budget discipline, (3) better alignment between revenues and expenditures, (4) favorable credit rating agency treatment and (5) better predictability for our ratepayers.

DC Water has aligned Cost of Service Studies to its two-year rate proposals. To help ensure that costs are being properly recovered (water costs are recovered through the water rates, for example), DC Water conducts regular Cost of Service Studies. Previously the studies were done every three years, but from 2020 DC Water began conducting two year Cost of Service Studies to fully align the costs with the two year rate proposals.

DC Water will hold multiple in-person and virtual Town Hall Meetings in April, in advance of the public hearing. The outreach and public comment period will be from March 20 to May 21, 2026.

Below are the proposed rates for Fiscal Year 2027 and Fiscal Year 2028. DC Water's Board of Directors will hold its annual public hearing on the proposed rate changes on May 14, 2026, at the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority Headquarters to hear testimony from customers and presentation on Independent Review of Proposed FY 2027 and FY 2028 Rates by an Independent Rate Consultant. The Board will consider the customer's comments and vote on the following rate changes at the Board meeting to be held on Thursday July 2, 2026.

Click here to view current Rate Making Process

FY 2027 and FY 2028 Proposed Rates

Fig. 1 in Ccf and equivalent gallons1 Ccf = 748 gallons
  Current
FY 2026
(Effective 10/1/2025)
Proposed
FY 2027
(Effective 10/1/2026)
Proposed
FY 2028
(Effective 10/1/2027)
Rate Class Ccf 1,000
Gallons
Ccf 1,000
Gallons
Ccf 1,000
Gallons
Water Rate
Residential - 0 - 4 Ccf 5.78 7.73 6.49 8.68 7.11 9.51
Residential - greater than 4 Ccf 7.60 10.16 8.40 11.23 9.40 12.57
Multi-Family 6.47 8.65 7.21 9.64 7.98 10.67
Non-Residential 7.84 10.48 8.66 11.58 9.71 12.98
Sewer Rate
Residential 12.52 16.74 12.91 17.26 13.39 17.90
Multi-Family 12.52 16.74 12.91 17.26 13.39 17.90
Non-Residential 12.52 16.74 12.91 17.26 13.39 17.90
PILOT (Payment-In-Lieu Of Taxes) Fee *
Residential 0.62 0.83 0.62 0.83 0.63 0.84
Multi-Family 0.62 0.83 0.62 0.83 0.63 0.84
Non-Residential 0.62 0.83 0.62 0.83 0.63 0.84
The Right-of-Way (ROW) Fee*
Residential 0.20 0.27 0.20 0.27 0.20 0.27
Multi-Family 0.20 0.27 0.20 0.27 0.20 0.27
Non-Residential 0.20 0.27 0.20 0.27 0.20 0.27
Groundwater Sewer Charge
Residential 3.76 5.03 3.90 5.21 3.90 5.21
Multi-Family 3.76 5.03 3.90 5.21 3.90 5.21
Non-Residential 3.76 5.03 3.90 5.21 3.90 5.21
High Flow Filter Backwash Wastewater Retail Sewer Rate
Residential 3.54 4.73 3.54 4.73 3.54 4.73
Multi-Family 3.54 4.73 3.54 4.73 3.54 4.73
Non-Residential 3.54 4.73 3.54 4.73 3.54 4.73
 
Clean Rivers Impervious Area Charge  per ERU (Equivalent Residential Unit)
Residential 24.23 25.50 27.22
Multi-Family 24.23 25.50 27.22
Non-Residential 24.23 25.50 27.22
Customer Metering Fee By Meter Size
Residential ** 7.75 7.75 7.75
Multi-family vary by meter size
Non-Residential vary by meter size
Water System Replacement Fee By Meter Size
Residential ** 6.30 6.30 6.30
Multi-family vary by meter size
Non-Residential vary by meter size
Stormwater Fee*** per ERU (Equivalent Residential Unit)
Residential 2.67 2.67 2.67
Multi-Family 2.67 2.67 2.67
Non-Residential 2.67 2.67 2.67
District of Columbia Public Inconvenience Fee
Residential 0.00 0.42 0.42
Multi-Family 0.00 0.42 0.42
Non-Residential 0.00 0.42 0.42

* District of Columbia pass-through fees

** For 5/8" meter size

*** DC Water bills and collects the Stormwater Fee on behalf of the District Government

Fig. 2 Average Monthly Residential Water and Sewer Bills for FY 2026 and FY 2027*
  Current
FY 2026
Proposed
FY 2027
Proposed
FY 2028††
DC Water Retail Rates * 101.80 107.86 114.36
Clean Rivers Impervious Area Charge 24.23 25.50 27.22
DC Water Customer Metering Fee ** 7.75 7.75 7.75
DC Water Water System Replacement Fee *** 6.30 6.30 6.30
Subtotal: DC Water Rates & Charges 140.10 147.41 155.63
Increase Over Prior Year 8.84 7.36 8.22
District of Columbia PILOT Fee††† 3.36 3.36 3.41
District of Columbia Right-of-Way Fee††† 1.08 1.08 1.08
District of Columbia Public Inconvenience Fee 0.00 2.28 2.28
District of Columbia Stormwater Fee††† 2.67 2.67 2.67
Subtotal: District of Columbia Charges 7.11 9.39 9.44
Total Amount Appearing on DC Water Bill 147.16 156.80 165.07
Increase Over Prior Year 8.94 9.63 8.27

FY 2027 is effective from October 1, 2026
††FY 2028 will be effective October 1, 2027
†††DC Water bills and collects the PILOT, ROW, and Stormwater fees on behalf of the District.

* Assumes average monthly consumption of 5.42 Ccf or 4,054 gallons.
** The DC Water Customer Metering Fee varies by meter size. The fee for 5/8" meter given here.
*** The DC Water System Replacement Fee varies by meter size. The fee for 5/8" meter given here.

Custom Metering Fee

Meter Size
Current
FY 2026
Proposed
FY 2027
Proposed
FY 2028
5/8" 7.75 7.75 7.75
3/4" 8.16 8.16 8.16
1" 9.16 9.16 9.16
1X1.25" 9.70 9.70 9.70
1.5" 13.82 13.82 13.82
1 1/2" 13.82 13.82 13.82
2" 15.14 15.14 15.14
2X5/8" 16.07 16.07 16.07
2X1/2" 16.07 16.07 16.07
3" 154.56 154.56 154.56
3X3/4" 156.49 156.49 156.49
4" 275.81 275.81 275.81
4X1" 277.38 277.38 277.38
4X2" 277.38 277.38 277.38
4X3/4" 277.38 277.38 277.38
4X2X5/8" 363.49 363.49 363.49
6" 538.37 538.37 538.37
6X1/5" 648.70 648.70 648.70
6X1" 547.52 547.52 547.52
6X1X1/2" 547.52 547.52 547.52
6X1/2" 648.70 648.70 648.70
6X3" 648.70 648.70 648.70
6X3X3/4" 648.70 648.70 648.70
8" 649.10 649.10 649.10
8X2" 649.10 649.10 649.10
8X4X1" 719.31 719.31 719.31
10X611/4 810.38 810.38 810.38
10" 638.30 638.30 638.30
10X2" 810.38 810.38 810.38
10X6" 810.38 810.38 810.38
10X6X1" 810.38 810.38 810.38
12" 661.89 661.89 661.89
12X6" 661.89 661.89 661.89
16" 701.62 701.62 701.62

Upcoming Meeting

Board of Directors Meeting

April 24, 2023

Monday 9:00 AM

Announcement

View of Mary at bottom of shaft inside tunnel shown from above
DC Water Launches Tunnel Boring Machine Mary, Marking Important Step for Potomac River Tunnel Project

First turn of cutterhead signals the start of excavation for the Potomac River Tunnel Project

In a defining moment for one of the District’s largest infrastructure investments, DC Water has marked its next major milestone in the Potomac River Tunnel Project. The first tunnel boring machine, Mary, has launched her northbound journey breaking through the soil to signal the start of excavation.

With the first turn of Mary’s drill-like cutterhead underground, the machine pushed forward to begin tunneling, representing the transition from years of planning and preparation to active tunnel construction on the $819 million project.

Latest Blog Post
A helicopter lowers a drill rig to workers on the Potomac River.
DC Water begins drilling in Potomac River to explore options to rehab underwater sewer line
When one of your major sewer lines runs through the Potomac River, a backhoe and trencher won't do. That's why we've got helicopters carrying a 14-ton drill and workers suspended midair over the Potomac.
Upcoming Meeting
Date
April 15, 2026
Wednesday, 9:30 AM

Customer Service Center Announcement

Payment Plan Incentive: provides a credit back of 50% of the last 3 payments made. Eligible participants are residential customers who have had an outstanding balance for 60 days or greater and with an outstanding balance of $500 or more.