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2023-2024 Water, Sewer, and Storm Water Rates Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Water, sewer and storm water rates changed for all bills where the meter read date was on or after July 1, 2022. Water rates increased 7.0% from $5.30 to $5.67 for every 1,000 gallons used. Sewer rates increased 8.5% from $8.57 to $9.30 for every 1,000 gallons of water used. Storm water rates increase from $58.50/quarter/ESWU to $62.00/quarter/ESWU for water accounts in the Evergreen-Farmington Sewage Disposal District and from $66.75/quarter/ESWU to $68.25/quarter/ESWU for water accounts in the Southeast Oakland County Sewage Disposal District. The average homeowner using 90,000 gallons per year and living on a property with an ESWU factor of 1 would see an annual increase in their water and sewer bill of approximately $109.
Water and sewer rates will frequently change from year to year for different reasons. The current year rate increases are explained below.
Water Rate
Approximately 65% of the rate increase is the result of transitioning funding for water infrastructure improvements from property taxes to water rates. Prior to fiscal year 2021-2022, a million dollars of the property taxes generated by the operating millage was used for infrastructures improvements to the water system. Over a period of 5 years, this will gradually be shifted to the water rate in order to sustain water system improvements throughout the City.
Approximately 15% of the rate increase is the result of the cost of water. The City purchases its water from the Southeastern Oakland County Water Authority (SOCWA) which in turn purchases the water from the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA). SOCWA maintains the water mains that connect the 11 communities that make up SOCWA to GLWA’s water mains. The cost of treated water from SOCWA increased 2% from last year.
The remaining 20% of the increase is related to City maintenance costs which increased 3.2% as a result of normal personnel and contractual increases and an increase in depreciation costs associated with infrastructure improvements.
Sewer Rate
Approximately 60% of the rate increase is the result of an increase in cleaning, televising, and repairing of sewer lines in order to maximize the flow of sewage throughout the City. This increased level of maintenance is in response to flooding issues the City experienced in 2021. Approximately 30% of the rate increase is related to an increase in sewage disposal costs from GLWA and the Oakland County Resources Commissioner (OCWRC) of 4%. The remaining amount of the increase is related to other City maintenance and depreciation costs.
Storm Water Rates
Storm water rates for the Evergreen-Farmington Sewage Disposal District increased 6% and the Southeast Oakland County Sewage Disposal District increased 2% as a result of an increase in storm water disposal costs from GLWA and OCWRC.
Water Rate
Approximately 65% of the rate increase is the result of transitioning funding for water infrastructure improvements from property taxes to water rates. Prior to fiscal year 2021-2022, a million dollars of the property taxes generated by the operating millage was used for infrastructures improvements to the water system. Over a period of 5 years, this will gradually be shifted to the water rate in order to sustain water system improvements throughout the City.
Approximately 15% of the rate increase is the result of the cost of water. The City purchases its water from the Southeastern Oakland County Water Authority (SOCWA) which in turn purchases the water from the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA). SOCWA maintains the water mains that connect the 11 communities that make up SOCWA to GLWA’s water mains. The cost of treated water from SOCWA increased 2% from last year.
The remaining 20% of the increase is related to City maintenance costs which increased 3.2% as a result of normal personnel and contractual increases and an increase in depreciation costs associated with infrastructure improvements.
Sewer Rate
Approximately 60% of the rate increase is the result of an increase in cleaning, televising, and repairing of sewer lines in order to maximize the flow of sewage throughout the City. This increased level of maintenance is in response to flooding issues the City experienced in 2021. Approximately 30% of the rate increase is related to an increase in sewage disposal costs from GLWA and the Oakland County Resources Commissioner (OCWRC) of 4%. The remaining amount of the increase is related to other City maintenance and depreciation costs.
Storm Water Rates
Storm water rates for the Evergreen-Farmington Sewage Disposal District increased 6% and the Southeast Oakland County Sewage Disposal District increased 2% as a result of an increase in storm water disposal costs from GLWA and OCWRC.
Every year, City staff develops budgets for the following fiscal year. These budgets are used to determine projected water and sewage disposal costs. The costs are reduced by other revenue generated by the respective systems (interest income, charges for services, etc.). The net cost is divided by the projected number of units of water to be sold during the year to arrive at a rate per unit of water sold. Below is a summary of the calculation for water and sewer rates for this year:
| WATER RATE | SEWER RATE | ||
| Treated Water | $2,179,900 | Sewage Disposal | $4,486,270 |
| Maintenance Costs | 2,384,430 | Maintenance Costs | 1,463,990 |
| Depreciation | 994,890 | Depreciation | 1,160,110 |
| Total Costs | $5,559,220 | Total Costs | $7,110,370 |
| Additional Capital Funding | 400,000 | Additional Capital Funding | 700,000 |
| Less: Other Revenue | (1,277,240) | Less: Other Revenue | (129,030) |
| Net Costs | $4,681,980 | Net Costs | $7,681,340 |
| Est. Units Sold (water) | 826,200 | Est. Units Sold (water) | 826,200 |
| Rate | $5.67 | Rate | $9.30 |
Yes, the City Manager reviews the department budgets which form the basis of the respective system costs. The budgets along with the rates are presented to the City Commission at the annual budget hearing conducted in May. The City Commission gives feedback to the City Manager on the budgets/rates. Any changes to the budgets/rates are presented to the City Commission at a regular schedule meeting (usually in June) where they are approved.
The portion of the water and sewer rate that the City controls is approximately 50% and 40% respectively. Unfortunately, there is not much we can do about costs outside of the City’s control (GLWA charges and OCWRC charges). We do communicate our concerns over rate increases with the various responsible agencies.
The City is constantly reviewing the way we maintain our systems and look for efficiency gains whenever possible. We have implemented an automated meter reading system which nearly eliminates the need for human meter reading externally or internally. Another way the City is reducing costs is by switching newly hired employees to a defined contribution retirement and retiree health savings plan. These new retirement benefits will keep costs lower and more predictable from year-to-year.
* Represents cost outside of the City’s control
** City Maintenance net of other revenue
As the chart above shows, the main increases in costs for the water and sewer system have come from rate setting agencies outside of the City’s control and depreciation. The depreciation charge represents the cost recovery of assets placed into service. Water and sewer lines are depreciated over a 40 year life expectancy.
The City is constantly reviewing the way we maintain our systems and look for efficiency gains whenever possible. We have implemented an automated meter reading system which nearly eliminates the need for human meter reading externally or internally. Another way the City is reducing costs is by switching newly hired employees to a defined contribution retirement and retiree health savings plan. These new retirement benefits will keep costs lower and more predictable from year-to-year.
* Represents cost outside of the City’s control
** City Maintenance net of other revenue
As the chart above shows, the main increases in costs for the water and sewer system have come from rate setting agencies outside of the City’s control and depreciation. The depreciation charge represents the cost recovery of assets placed into service. Water and sewer lines are depreciated over a 40 year life expectancy.
Birmingham’s water and sewer rates are higher than some communities because of various factors: 1) we are a combined sewer /storm water sewer system (which means we have to pay to dispose of the storm water), 2) our infrastructure is older, 3) smaller population, and 4) we participate in the maintenance of 3 CSO retention basins.
Even with those factors, Birmingham’s rates are not out of line with other surrounding communities as shown for below. The following chart illustrates an average quarterly bill for a customer using 30,000 gallons.
Even with those factors, Birmingham’s rates are not out of line with other surrounding communities as shown for below. The following chart illustrates an average quarterly bill for a customer using 30,000 gallons.
Residents can lower their bill by checking for leaking toilets and sinks, adjusting lawn sprinkling times and days, and purchasing water conserving shower heads and toilets. In addition, water customers can monitor their own water usage by registering their water account with Aquahawk. To sign-up for this service please go to https://birmmi.aquahawk.us.
The Industrial Waste Control charge is an additional fixed fee charged to commercial properties by the GLWA for additional sewage treatment costs associated with commercial properties. The fixed fee is based on the size of the water meter. These fees are collected by the City of Birmingham and remitted to the GLWA. The GLWA has increased this fee by 1.1% for 2022-2023.
If you have additional questions, please call the telephone numbers listed below or feel free to send an e-mail to water@bhamgov.org.
Contact List
City of Birmingham
Water Department
Phone: 248-530-1830
Fax: 248-530-1070
e-mail: water@bhamgov.org
website: www.bhamgov.org
Water Resources Commissioner
Phone: 248-858-0958
email: wrc@oakgov.com
website: www.oakgov.com/drain
Great Lakes Water Authority
Phone: 844-455-4592
email: info@glwater.org
website: www.glwater.org
Contact List
City of Birmingham
Water Department
Phone: 248-530-1830
Fax: 248-530-1070
e-mail: water@bhamgov.org
website: www.bhamgov.org
Water Resources Commissioner
Phone: 248-858-0958
email: wrc@oakgov.com
website: www.oakgov.com/drain
Great Lakes Water Authority
Phone: 844-455-4592
email: info@glwater.org
website: www.glwater.org