- Water Base Fee - a flat fee that every customer pays to support the operation of the water utility. This fee applies to every account regardless of water use.
- Water Usage - this fee changes based on the amount of water you use. For every 1,000 gallons, the charge is $2.06.
It is important to understand your utility bill. Learn how to read your bill and identify how to potentially reduce your costs.
For information about a specific section on the bill, please refer to the corresponding numbers below.
- Billing Account - Basic information about your billing account, including your account number and billing period.
- Account Detail - Account charges are listed here. Please note that, starting in November 2025, the Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Fee will be separate from the Trash Services Fee. See below for detailed information about this section.
- Account Summary - List of current and past due balances, should there be any.
- Past Due Deadline - If there is an outstanding balance, it will show here.
- Direct Pay - If paying by direct pay, this section indicates it is for your records only.
- Meter Readings - Your meter read data, including current and previous reads. WUC; Wastewater Use CAP is based on winter water usage; it’s applied during spring, summer, and fall for sewer usage billing. See "How Your Sewer Bill is Calculated" below for a more information.
- Annual Usage by Month - Graph showing water usage annually, month by month.
- Year Over Year Usage Comparison
- News and Information - This section is reserved for City news and important information.
- Bill Remittance Stub
How Your Sewer Bill is Calculated (WUC)
The water you use in your home (e.g., showers, toilets, laundry, etc.) in the winter drains into the sewer. Since you're not watering your lawn or using water outside during this time, your winter water usage gives a good estimate of your actual sewer usage. The city calculates your average water use over the four winter months; this average is called the Winter Use Calculation (WUC). Your WUC is the number used to set your sewer charges for the entire year.
Why is it done this way?
In the summer, people often use more water for lawns, gardens, and outdoor activities. That water doesn’t drain into the sewer. If you were charged for sewer based on the water you use in the summer, you could be paying too much. Using the winter average helps keep your sewer bill level, especially during the summer months.
Account Detail Information
- Sewer Base Fee - a flat fee that every customer pays to support the operation of the wastewater utility. This fee applies to every account regardless of sewer use.
- Sewer Charge - this fee is based on your actual usage. For every 1,000 gallons of sewer you use, the charge is $5.99. Sewer use is based on your winter water usage.
- Trash Service - fee based on your container size, covering 1 trash and 1 recycling cart as part of the curbside pickup program.
- Disposal Service - charged by container size, covers the cost of landfill disposal.
- Cart Rental - the fee charged to cover the cost of renting your trash/recycling cart. You are required to use the carts provided by Republic Services. However, the benefit of renting a cart is that it can be replaced if damaged from normal wear and tear.
- Cart/Container Tax - the tax charged on cart rentals.
- HHW - this fee covers the drop-off of residential
household hazardous waste (HHW). The HHW site is open on Mondays (except holidays) from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at 2130 W Franklin Rd. HHW can be dropped off at this location for no additional charge.
- Authorized Turn On - the fee if your account must be suspended due to non-payment
- Cart Delivery - the fee if you upsize trash/recycling carts
- Extra Cart Service - the fee if you have more than one trash container
- Extra Cart Rental - the fee if you have more than one trash container
Ways to Reduce My Bill
To help reduce your monthly bill, consider the following:
- Reduce your trash container size by calling Republic Services at 208-345-1265 for a quote.
- Eliminate your extra trash cart, if you have one, by calling Republic Services at 208-345-1265.
- Reduce your water use:
- Check for leaks
- Water-wise landscaping
- For more ideas, visit the Water Conservation page
- Be mindful of your winter water use to ensure a lower WUC (annual sewer rate).
- Pay bills on time to ensure no turn-on charges.