The System Availability Fee (SAF) is a one-time fee assessed for new development projects that require new water and sewer connections and renovation or redevelopment projects for existing connections to DC Water’s infrastructure that requires an increase in the size of the meter.
DC Water engages independent consultants to conduct a Cost-of-Service Study (COS) for the System Availability Fees. This ensures that the study is impartial, objective, and maintains transparency and impartiality throughout the fee-setting process. The fees are periodically evaluated using Industry standards aligned with American Water Works (AWWA) and Water Environment Federation (WEF) guidelines, as well as benchmarking against comparable utilities.
A 2026 COS was performed to reassess the SAF based on increased asset values. This is the first COS conducted since the implementation of the SAF on June 1, 2018.
The following is a schedule of activities that have occurred for the amendments to the SAF:
- July 17, 2026 – Notice of Final Rulemaking (NOFR) published in D.C. Register.
- July 2, 2026 – Board adopted and approved the notice of final rulemaking for SAF.
- April 24, 2026 – Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) published in D.C. Register.
- April 7, 2026 - Board approved the proposed rulemaking for SAF.
- March 18, 2026 - Updated COS presentation and proposed amendments to SAF presented to the DC Retail Water and Sewer Rates Committee for recommendation .
