W2.9 Tiered rates
Study effectiveness and strategies for conservation with tiered rating structures for water and sewer, and if proven, apply new rate structures.
Make as much of the bill as possible depend on volume used rather than a flat fee for basic service charge; utilize a sharply tiered rate structure for both drinking water and wastewater to reward users for efficiency.
Rates as of 2025, not including municipal utility taxes…
LOTT
LOTT charges residential customers a flat monthly rate of $47.52, though it uses volume based rates for commercial customers.
City of Olympia
Drinking Water Rates
Residential bi-monthly flat rate – $30.62
Four tiers – from $2.30/ccf to $8.10/ccf (High tier starts at 2,800 cubic feet/month.)
(Multi-family and commercial customers have much less incentive for efficiency, paying only $3.23/ccf in the winter and $4.82/ccf in the summer, regardless of how much they use.)
City Residential Sewer & Wastewater Rates
Tiered rate – $56.46 bi-monthly above 700 gallons; 38% discount for users below 500 gallons, prorated between 500 and 700 gallons.
City of Lacey
Drinking Water Rates
Residential & irrigation bi-monthly flat rate – $32.28
Four tiers – from $1.88/ccf to $7.55/ccf (High tier starts at 2,401 cubic feet/month.)
Multi-family, Commercial & Mobile Home Rates
Commercial bi-monthly flat rate – $22.64 in city; $27.17 outside
Same as residential up to 600 cf/month ($1.88/cf in city; $2.26 outside), and $4.22/cf in city and $5.30/cf outside after that, but no increase or incentive for efficiency above that, no matter how much you use.
City Residential Sewer & Wastewater Rates
Flat rate – $47.91 bi-monthly
City of Tumwater
Drinking Water Rates
Residential bi-monthly flat rate – $21.80
Four tiers – from $3.20/ccf to $5.55/ccf (High tier starts at 2,401 cubic feet/month.)
Commercial Rates (much lower)
Commercial bi-monthly flat rate – $21.80, increasing from there by meter size
$3.34/ccf, no matter how much water you use
City Residential Sewer & Wastewater Rates
Flat rate – $39.93 bi-monthly