Winter Monitoring Period

Determining Sewer Rates

In the City of San Diego, each single-family domestic customer's individualized flat sewer rate is based upon the amount of water used during the previous winter. This system, rather than a flat rate for all customers, more fairly apportions the costs of running the sewer system.

Every winter, primarily during the months of December through March, the City monitors the amount of water each customer uses. The winter months are when the measuring takes place because that is when the highest percentage of water used is returned to the sewer system. The City monitors your water usage during the two billing cycles when your meter is actually read, and uses the total from the cycle with the least amount of usage to calculate your sewer rate.

Once the monitoring period is finished, an individualized flat rate is figured for each customer, and that rate goes into effect the following July 1.

That rate is in effect for one year, and will be updated with new data every July 1. If you are new to a home, your sewer rate will be based on the city-wide average until a reading can take place for you during the next winter.

If you would like to know when the exact dates of your winter monitoring period, please call our Customer Services Hotline at (619) 515-3500.