Wastewater services and rates

The City of Sacramento provides wastewater service to more than 75,000 customers some parts of the city of Sacramento. Areas within city limits, but not provided service by the City of Sacramento are provided service by Sacramento Area Sewer District.

The City of Sacramento wastewater system consists of combined sewer pipes -- which convey wastewater and storm drain runoff in a single pipe -- and separated sewer pipes that wastewater only.

The combined sewer system serves many of the older parts of Sacramento, while the separated sewer system serves the newer sections of the city. The sewage collected in the wastewater system pipes travel through a series of pumps to a treatment plant in Elk Grove where it is treated and released back to local rivers. The treatment process is performed by the Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District and the City of Sacramento collects the charges for this service on the District’s behalf. During heavy rain events, facilities run by the City of Sacramento may treat excess flows from the wastewater system and then release these waters back to the local rivers.

The City uses rate payer dollars, fees for services and development impact fees as well as grants and other special funds to pay for the wastewater operations and capital improvement program.

RATE ASSISTANCE

To help pay for utilities rates and fees, income-eligible customers can get a monthly credit on their water, sewer and garbage bill with the Sacramento Utilities Rate Assistance program. People can save more than $500 a year depending on their bill.

Current Monthly Wastewater Rates

Here are the typical residential and metered commercial wastewater rates:

*Rates for July 1, 2020 have not increased.

View the Complete list of Wastewater Rates

A complete list of fees can be found using the City’s Fee and Charge Search. Please choose the Department of Utilities in the “Department” drop down menu and then select a fee category to review fees.

The City offers Sacramento Utility Rate Assistance. If you are an income-eligible customer, you can get a monthly credit on your water, sewer and/or garbage bill. Your total annual savings can add up to over $380 a year depending on the services you receive. Apply today!

Combined Sewer System

Residents and businesses in the combined sewer system may not notice any difference between living in a combined sewer system area and living in an area with a separated sewer and storm drainage system, but there are a few key things you should know:

Be sure to keep gutters free of debris, such as leaves or garbage that can block storm drains and pipes. Not only can these items cause street flooding; they can also lead to increased habitat for mosquito breeding and increase the risk of West Nile Virus.
When storm drains back up in the Combined Sewer System during heavy rain events, the water could contain sewage.
If a building has a basement, the property owner is required by City code to get a backflow device put on their sewer service to prevent combined wastewater from backing up into the basement.
If you see street flooding or combined wastewater backs up into your home, please call 311 or 264-5011. Emergency crews are available 24/7 to assist you.
If combined wastewater should back up into your home or onto your property, you should use precaution when cleaning it up. You might also consider hiring a professional to assist you in cleaning up your property.

SERVICE TERMINATION POLICY

The City of Sacramento Department of Utilities has a "water service termination policy" for customers who are late in paying their water bill.

Under this policy, customers who are more than two months past due on their Utilities bill may be subject to their water being turned off.

Customers who become late in their payments or who cannot pay their current bill should contact the City of Sacramento Department of Utilities Billing at 916-808-5454 to avoid being subject to the service termination policy or to see if they qualify for a payment arrangement.