Water and Sewer Rate Study

The City’s water and sewer utilities rely on rates paid by customers to fund the costs of providing safe and reliable water and sewer services. The rates are used to pay for operations, maintenance, and infrastructure improvements.

At their meeting on March 9, 2022, the Board of Directors accepted the water and sewer rate study recommendations. See the link to the Technical Memorandum below. Over the next five years, the proposed rates will provide adequate revenue to support water and sewer operations, fund capital improvements, and maintain appropriate reserves. The proposed rates will also phase out the general fund subsidy for these utility operations.

The Board directed staff to issue Proposition 218 notices to ratepayers. See the link to the Notice. The Notice describes the need for water and sewer rate adjustments and how they will impact fees over the next five years. 

Use the Utility Bill Comparison link below to see how the rate changes impact your future charges. Two samples are included – one for low density residences and the other for medium density residences. The density classifications are zoning designations that reflect the number of residences that can be built on one acre. Approximately 4 low density residences can be built on one acre, and approximately 6 medium density residences can be built on one acre. Since low density residences are on larger lots with typically larger homes and yards, these accounts consume more water per household, on average, than medium density homes. Mountain House Density Map

The Utility Bill Comparison will show that for both low and medium density homes, water rates for usage and base charges will adjust each of the five years. Stormwater rates will not adjust. Sewer rates will adjust in the first year of the rate period but will not adjust over the following four years.

The District held a Community Meeting on Wednesday, April 6, 2022, to discuss the rate adjustments. View a recording of the meeting: https://youtu.be/bfmxHZtHWUY

Links to the Technical Memorandum, Proposition 218 Notice, and other documents are shown below.

For additional information regarding proposed water and sewer rate adjustments, contact customer service at (209) 831-2300 or mhutilities@jsgov.org.

The Board of Directors will conduct a public hearing on the adoption of the proposed water on Wednesday, May 11, 2022 at 7:00 pm. The public is invited to attend in person or by zoom.  https://zoom.us/j/5754991160