What do sewer rates pay for?

Sewer service charges pay for the cost of collecting, treating and disposing of wastewater. Rate calculations are consistent with industry practices to ensure that sufficient revenues are collected to operate and maintain the system and cover all obligations of the Wastewater Operating Fund. Sewer service charges are billed as standard fixed amounts for residential customers and as a cost per hundred cubic feet (ccf) of water consumed for non-residential customers, based on the strength of the discharged wastewater.

Why sewer service charge increases should be considered?

Under the 3rd Nutrient Watershed Permit Order No. R2-2024-0013, adopted by the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board on July 10, 2024, the City of Hayward, along with four other members of the East Bay Dischargers Authority, must reduce nutrients discharged to the Bay by 53% by 2034, which will require implementation of new projects. This includes major expansion of the City’s wastewater treatment plant to meet the requirements of the new permit. The required borrowing to pay for this massively expensive project, and the related annual debt payments, have resulted in the need for these rate increases.  Additionally, sewer service charges pay for the collection, treatment, and disposal of wastewater from residences and businesses, based on the strength and volume of wastewater generated.  As such, a small portion of the rate increases pay for the annual escalation cost of providing these services.  The proposed sewer rates will allow the City to develop sufficient reserves to pay for upcoming capital costs and to keep pace with the cost of sewer service collection, treatment, and disposal in a manner to meet all legal and regulatory requirements to protect public health and the environment. 

How will the proposed sewer rates changed?

Residential sewer rates are proposed to increase annually to achieve a total rate revenue up to 12% in each of the five years. The following table lists the proposed sewer service charges.

Monthly Residential Sewer Service Charges:

With Separate Irrigation Meter:

Without Separate Irrigation Meter:

Sewer Service Changes for Critical Users*:

Non-residential sewer rates are proposed to increase annually to achieve a total rate revenue up to 12% in each of the five years. If you need assistance in calculating the impact of the rate adjustments, please contact the Utilities Billing at (510) 583-4600 or by email at hss@hayward-ca.gov.

Submitting Written Protests

If you wish to protest the proposed service rate increases, the City Clerk must receive your written protest by mail or delivery to City Hall, 4^th Floor, Office of the City Clerk before 5:00 p.m. February 4, 2025.  Mail or deliver written protests to: City of Hayward, 777 B Street, Hayward, CA 94541, Attention: City Clerk.  Property owners and tenants responsible for paying utility bills may submit written protests within 45 days of noticing, however, only one protest will be counted per parcel.  For your protest to be counted, it must indicate your name, and either the address(es) or sewer account number(s) of your property or properties.  A failure to submit a timely written objection bars any right to challenge the updated rates through a legal proceeding.  To be a valid protest, any written objection must (a) be submitted prior to the deadline specified in the notice, and (b) specify the grounds for alleging the updated rates do not comply with Proposition 218.