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Milwaukee's drinking 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.
Water meters used by the Milwaukee Water Works measure water in Ccf, or 100 cubic feet. One Ccf = 748 gallons. Milwaukee water is a great value: 5 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 healthful, safe 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, treatment and distribution capacity; all water is returned to the source, and construction of additional facilities to meet demand is not necessary.
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:
The PSC tariff for the Milwaukee Water Works is in this document, 2011 Rates. Copies also are available at the Milwaukee Water Works Customer Service Center, 841 N. Broadway. As part of the case, the PSC retained the original Rules and Regulations Governing Water Service submitted in 2002 and updated in 2007, so the information presented is effective for 2011. 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.
Please refer to the Municipal Services Bill brochure at the left for City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District charges billed by the Milwaukee Water Works.
The Milwaukee Water Works sells treated drinking 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. Economic Development Rate, or WAVE Rate
The Milwaukee Water Works offers an Economic Development Rate (EDR), also known as the WAVE Rate, Water Attracting Valued Employers, to water-intensive business. The discount is used to help attract business and encourage expansion by Water Works business customers. New and existing customers can receive discounted water rates for a five-year period in exchange for increased water usage and creation of living-wage jobs. Businesses must have a plan for water use and efficiency so water is not wasted. Learn more about the EDR in a brochure and download an application form for a new customer and an existing customer. The PSC designed the EDR, the first for a water utility in Wisconsin, to take advantage of the excess capacity of the water utility. MWW has abundant water supply, and treatment and distribution capacity, so obtaining new business spreads fixed costs of the utility over a larger customer base.
New Hydrant and Water Connection Charges took effect May 1, 2011 The lastest PSC-approved 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.