About MWW Account Information Customer Service Business Services Use Water Wisely
Milwaukee's water rates are determined by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) and are intended to ensure the financial stability of the utility and fair value for customers.
Milwaukee water is actually a great value: five gallons cost one cent. As measured by your water meter, 100 cubic feet (748 gallons) cost $1.68. (rates effective 2011) Here's how to calculate the cost per gallon: 748 gallons cost $1.68. Divide $1.68 by 748 = $0.00224. Round up to $0.002 (two-tenths of one cent per gallon) Five gallons x 0.002 = $0.01 (one cent) Compared to the rest of Wisconsin, Milwaukee has low rates for safe, healthful drinking water. The PSC reported the statewide average residential water bill (April 2011) for water usage of 25 Ccf + service charge; not including Public Fire Protection Charge, was $80.90 per quarter. In Milwaukee, the average residential bill was $56.70 per quarter. That's a lot of water delivered to your home for $56.70. Consider that 25 Ccf is equal to 18,750 gallons which weighs 156,562 pounds or 78.28 tons of water. (One gallon of water weighs 8.35 pounds).
The Milwaukee Water Works uses a declining block rate in which cost per unit of volume decreases with usage. This rate structure is appropriate where there is an ample supply of water and treatment and distribution capacity, all water is returned to the source, and there is no need to build or expand facilities to meet demand.
Residential customers are billed quarterly; most commercial accounts are billed monthly. The typical person in Milwaukee uses 10 Ccf (100 cubic feet) of water per quarter. Multiply 10 by the number of people in your household to give you the number of Ccf for water used in one quarter (for example, 4 people x 10 = 40 Ccf). If you are using more than 10 ccf per person per quarter, you may have water leaks.
Current water rates took effect Feb. 8, 2011. This document shows the rate schedule for:
Current rates are found in the MWW Tariff Feb. 3 2011. Copies are available at the Milwaukee Water Works Customer Service Center, 841 N. Broadway, Fourth floor. In the 2011 rate case, the PSC retained the original Rules and Regulations Governing Water Service submitted in 2002 and updated in 2007, so the information presented here is effective for 2011 and beyond. Documents related to the case are available at http://psc.wi.gov. At "Link Directly to a Case," enter case number 3720-WR-107 or click here. The PSC created an Economic Development Rate (EDR) on Feb. 2011, amended it in August 2012, and in December 2012, rescinded the amended EDR and adopted the Feb. 3, 2011 EDR until the Commission takes final action in the docket and after a public hearing to be held in the first quarter of 2013.
Your "water bill" includes more than just water charges. Please refer to the Municipal Services Bill brochure at the left for City and Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District charges billed by the water utility.
The Milwaukee Water Works sells water at a wholesale rate to Brown Deer, Butler, Greendale, Menomonee Falls, Mequon, New Berlin, Shorewood, Wauwatosa, and West Allis. These communities operate their own drinking water utilities and bill their customers. Contact municipal offices in these communities for information about water and other municipal service charges.
New Hydrant and Water Connection Charges took effect May 1, 2011
The current rates for hydrant permits, water connection permits, and other water services took effect May 1, 2011. Water service permits are available from the Department of City Development Permit Center, by calling (414) 286-8208, or email techteam@milwaukee.gov. Or, apply online for an ePermit.