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Water and Sewer Rates and Services
Resolution and Ordinance
Water and Sewer rates and charges are established by City Council Resolution, as determined by Ordinance No. 2018-04. Both the resolution and ordinance are available below.
August 28, 2023 Resolution Regarding Water and Sewer Rates and Charges
Water Systems
The City of Rochester has two separate water systems. The eastern half of the city is served by the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) water system. A municipal well field serves the western half of the city, which is located off of North Livernois Road.
Water from the GLWA system contains 1.0 to 1.1 mg/L of Fluoride and the water from the city’s well contains 0.5 mg/L of fluoride with a hardness level of 19 grains. The presence of these elements does not pose a health risk. For more information about Rochester’s water quality, please contact the DPW at 248-651-5165 or see Rochester's Municipal Water Ordinances.
Sewer System
The Department of Public Works handles routine maintenance of sewer mains within the City of Rochester. That portion of the sewer that is located between the house and the connection to the city’s sewer main is the responsibility of the resident to maintain.
Water and Sewer Rates
| Rates | 2022 Effective 9/1/2022 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Great Lakes Water Authority Customers (GLWA) | Water usage rate: $5.33/per unit
Water ready-to-serve rate (quarterly):
$6.54 per MEU
Infrastructure fixed rate (quarterly):
$26.91/per MEU
Infrastructure variable rate (based on usage): $0.21/per unit |
|
| Well Water Customers | Water usage rate: $1.00/per unit
Water ready-to-serve rate (quarterly): $8.78/per MEU
Infrastructure fixed rate (quarterly):
$26.91/per MEU
Infrastructure variable rate (based on usage): $0.21/per unit
|
|
| Sewer Rate Schedule | Sewer usage rate: $3.61/per unit Sewer ready-to-serve rate (quarterly): 36.65/per MEU
Infrastructure fixed rate (quarterly):
25.65/per MEU
Infrastructure variable rate (based on usage): 0.22/per unit |
* MEU (meter equivalent unit). Fixed quarterly cost associated with the size of your water meter. Each meter size has a multiplier to MEU as noted on the table below
MEU Multiplier
| Meter Size | MEU Multiplier |
|---|---|
| 1/2" | 1 |
| 5/8" | 1 |
| 3/4" | 1 |
| 1" | 1 |
| 1 1/2" | 2.25 |
| 2" | 4 |
| 3" | 9 |
| 4" | 16 |
| 5" | 36 |
| 6" | 36 |
| 8" | 36 |
Fixed Charges for Meters
| Meter Size | Charge Per Bill |
|---|---|
| 5/8" | $10.92 |
| 3/4" | $16.38 |
| 1" | $27.30 |
| 1 1/2" | $60.06 |
| 2" | $87.36 |
| 3" | $158.34 |
| 4" | $218.40 |
| 6" | $327.60 |
| 8" | $546.00 |
Pollutant Surcharges
| Pollutant Surcharge | Charge $/lb |
|---|---|
| Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) in excess of 275 mg/l | $0.361 |
| Total suspended solids (TSS) in excess of 350 mg/l | $0.496 |
| Phosphorus (P) in excess of 12 mg/l | $6.629 |
| Fats, oil and grease (FOG) in excess of 100 mg/l | $0.115 |
Water Billing Questions and Repairs
Water bills are issued on a quarterly basis through the city offices. Billing questions can be directed to City Hall at 248-651-9061.
Questions regarding repairs (water leaks, breaks, or repairs) can be directed to the Department of Public Works at 248-651-5165. If an emergency occurs after hours or on the weekend, please call the Police Department at 248-651-9621.
Sewer Questions and Repairs
For sewer backups, call the Department of Public Works at 248-651-5165. If an after hours emergency, contact the Police Department at 248-651-9621.
The Department of Public works will inspect the city sewer main at no charge. If the main line is clear and you are still backed up, the Department of Public Works will advise you to call a plumber to check your line.
Water and Sewer Bills
Water and sewer service accounts are maintained at City Hall.
The City of Rochester requires that all individuals opening up a utility account show a valid drivers license. This requirement has been put into effect to comply with federal regulations known as "red flag rules". Additionally, all utility bills will be sent to each property addressed to "occupant" instead of the name of the individual on the account. These rules are part of a nationwide effort to reduce identity theft.
Bills are mailed on a quarterly basis. Cash and check payments are accepted and must either be mailed to, or dropped off at:
Rochester City Hall
400 6th St.
Rochester, MI 48307-1400
After hours payments can be placed in the drop box located in the parking lot on the west side of City Hall.
If you are interested in ACH Billing & Paperless Billing, please fill out and sign the ACH & Paperless Billing Form, attach a voided check, and mail to, or drop off at City Hall.
Late Payments
Water and sewer bills are normally due 18 days from the billing date. If 18 days from the billing date falls on a holiday or weekend, then the due date is extended to the next business day. This is taken into consideration before bills are printed so that the due date printed on the bill is always a business day. A 5% penalty is applied if bills are not paid by the due date.
Failure to receive a bill does not waive any past due penalty. Since the bills are mailed on a quarterly basis, it is recommended that you mark your calendar on the date when water bills are due to be mailed.