New System Availability Fees (SAF) are effective October 1, 2026.

The following provides guidance for plans submitted before October 1, 2026.

Plans submitted to DC Water before October 1, 2026, for review and issuance of a Water and Sewer Availability Certificate, where DC Water has not completed its review, shall be subject to the new permit fees.

Plans submitted to DC Water for review and issuance of a Water and Sewer Availability Certificate, where DC Water has completed its review and issued a System Availability Fees and Construction Inspection Fees invoice that has not been paid by September 30, 2026, shall be deemed abandoned if: 

1. Valid payment ¹ of the System Availability Fees and Construction Inspection Fees have not been received by April 1, 2027; or
2. Department of Building (DOB) has deemed the permit application abandoned. 

Upon the earlier of the two events, the Applicant must resubmit the plans to DC Water for review and remit all applicable fees to obtain a WSAC.

¹ If check is returned due to insufficient funds, errors on checks, or missing information, the payment is deemed invalid. DC Water will charge a bad check fee for checks returned due to insufficient funds.

For additional information, please visit System Availability Fee | DC Water.