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News Releases

April 18, 2008 -- Sims' sewer rate proposal stresses clean-water investments, continued sound financial practices

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Sewer Rates for Wastewater Treatment

Capacity Charge Program

System Planning

Wastewater Programs

Construction Projects

Ratepayer Report > Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

• How much is the proposed rate and capacity charge increase? Why are the increases needed?
• Who oversees and approves wastewater rate increases?
• Why is my bill different from the amount in this document? How will this increase affect my bill?
• I live in Snohomish (or Pierce) County–why am I paying for King County's wastewater treatment service?
• I am on a septic system–why am I getting a notice?
• With the expansion of the wastewater system, will I be forced to remove my septic system and hook up to the sewer system?
• The rate and capacity charge–what’s the difference?
• I can't afford an increase in rates–what are my options?

Note: The mailing list for the postcards announcing this report came from County Assessors property records. If you have questions or changes to your property records, you can contact the King County Assessors office.

Department of Assessments
500 Fourth Avenue,
Suite ADM-AS-0708,
Seattle WA 98104
206-296-7300
http://www.metrokc.gov/assessor/

How much is the proposed rate and capacity charge increase? Why are the increases needed?

The King County Executive is proposing to increase the monthly sewer rate $2.25, from $27.95 per month to $30.20 per month. He is also proposing a $1.39 per month increase in the capacity charge levied to newly connecting customers that they pay in addition to their monthly sewer bill, bringing the amount to $47.64. If adopted by the King County Council, these new rates will take effect on Jan. 1, 2009. More about how rate increases are approved...

Increases in the rate and capacity charge are needed to cover the costs of maintaining and expanding our system over the next several years. We recognize these costs are significant, but delaying critical projects could mean system failures, sewage overflows, fines from regulatory agencies and even a possible building moratorium. Investments in our wastewater infrastructure are crucial to our mission to protect public health, the environment and our economy.

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Who oversees and approves wastewater rate increases?

Setting the rate and capacity charge: the Wastewater Treatment Division sends its rate proposal to the King County Executive each spring. After review, the rate proposal goes to the King County Council for further deliberation. The council is required to adopt the sewer rate by June 30 for the following year. King County's overarching goal is to keep rates level for several consecutive years whenever possible. More about sewer rates...

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Why is my bill different from the amount in this document? How will this increase affect my bill? 

Local sewer agencies collect wastewater from residences and businesses and transport it to King County's regional system of pipelines, tunnels and treatment plants. The amount the local utility pays King County for this service is based on the current wholesale monthly sewer rate of $27.95 (proposed increase to $30.20) and the number of customers the local utility serves.

The monthly sewer rate you pay to your local utility includes the county's monthly wholesale rate, plus the rate set by your local sewer utility to cover its costs in building, operating and maintaining its local collection system. This also explains why your monthly bill comes from your local sewer utility instead of King County – because people do not connect directly to our regional sewer system.

The local agencies decide how to bill customers in their area.  Some use a set price that directly includes King County's rate.  Others base their rates on amount of water a customer uses.  And others use a combination of the two. Before it becomes effective in January, each local agency will determine how the proposed rate increase will affect its rates.

I live in Snohomish (or Pierce) County–why am I paying for King County's wastewater treatment service?

In 1958 the voters created Metro and developed a regional wastewater treatment system based on watersheds as opposed to political boundaries. In 1994, King County assumed authority of Metro and its legal obligation to treat wastewater for 34 local jurisdictions and local sewer agencies that contract with King County.

The local sewer agencies that contract with King County manage, operate and maintain 5,100 miles of collection pipes along with numerous pump and regulator stations. The local agencies collect wastewater from residences and businesses and transport it to King County’s regional system of pipelines, tunnels and treatment plants.

The monthly sewer rate you pay to your local utility includes the county’s monthly wholesale rate, plus the rate set by your local sewer utility to cover its costs in building, operating and maintaining its local collection system.

This also explains why your monthly bill comes from your local sewer utility instead of King County – because people do not connect directly to our regional sewer system. (King County does directly bill newly connecting customers for the capacity charge they pay in addition to their monthly sewer bill – for more information see the next FAQ).

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I am on a septic system–why am I getting a notice?

The notice was sent to all property owners on record in the King County wastewater treatment service area. If you are on a septic system and not connected to the sewer system, this notice does not apply to you.

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With the expansion of the wastewater system, will I be forced to remove my septic system and hook up to the sewer system?

Property owners do not connect directly to King County’s regional wastewater system. Local sewer agencies collect wastewater and contract with King County to convey and treat it at one of our regional treatment plants. Local sewer agencies decide where and when to build or extend service lines.

Wastewater treatment service is provided only within designated urban growth areas, with few exceptions. These areas are designated as part of the state’s Growth Management Act (external link) and local comprehensive plans. Because of those plans, we expect most homes and businesses within the urban growth boundary will likely have sewer service within the next two decades. But the exact timing would be up to the local agencies.

Local agencies may not require a home to hook up to the sewer system if the septic system is working properly. Depending on individual circumstances, hooking up to the sewer can be less expensive than building a new septic system or replacing a failed system. Contact your local government or sewer district to find out more about what is planned for your area.

Note: the Growth Management Act requires coordinated planning so that the services required by new residents and their homes and businesses are available as growth occurs. Needed services include many that are not provided by King County, such as water supply, local sanitary sewers, fire protection, schools, energy facilities, and telecommunications. King County does provide services such as regional wastewater treatment, regional solid waste management, and local stormwater management. For more information, refer to the King County Comprehensive Plan (Services, Facilities and Utilities chapter).

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The rate and capacity charge–what’s the difference?

• The rate supports operations and maintenance. The monthly wholesale sewer rate paid by all customers generates the revenue we need to cover the cost of maintaining, operating and supporting our existing system, and covering debt service on the bonds we issue to fund the capital improvement program.
• The capacity charge supports system expansion. Since 1990, King County has levied a capacity charge on new connections to the sewer system, which these new customers pay in addition to their monthly sewer bill. The capacity charge helps King County cover the cost of sewer improvement and expansion projects needed to serve new growth. Newly connecting customers are directly billed by King County for the capacity charge. Elected officials, sewer utility representatives and jurisdiction officials were all involved in King County’s decision to implement a capacity charge to ensure that “growth pays for growth”.

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I can't afford an increase in rates–what are my options?

Many of the local sewage agencies in King County have programs for residents with low incomes. Check with the sewer utility that sends you a bill to see if you are eligible. Information on local sewer agencies is available at: http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wtd/mwpaac/

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Updated: May 8, 2008