City of Farmington Hills Announces New Water and Sewer Rate Structure, Prioritizing Fairness and Long-Term System Sustainability
Consistent with the City’s annual rate adjustment period, the City of Farmington Hills announces updates to its water and sewer rate structure to take effect on
July 1. Key changes include the elimination of the minimum water and sewer bill and the introduction of a fixed (ready-to-serve) water and sewer charge. These adjustments create a more equitable, easy to understand billing system and reflect the City’s ongoing commitment to fairness and transparency.
The new fixed water and sewer charges will be used to cover a portion of fixed costs associated with the daily operation and maintenance of the water and sewer systems. Usage rates will continue to be charged and will now be based more closely on customers’ actual metered usage. Customers who use less than the minimum charge of 16 units (1 unit equals 100 cubic feet) of water during a billing cycle may see a decrease in their bill, while those who use more than 16 units may experience an increase.
The water and sewer measurements referenced on the City’s website will be updated to reflect units of 100 cubic feet, instead of the current 1,000 cubic foot units. This change aligns with the office of the Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner (WRC) billing practices and provides customers with a clearer, more precise calculation of their water bill.
Farmington Hills owns its water and sewer system, which is operated and maintained by the WRC. The City also contracts with the Great Lakes Water Authority for drinking water treatment and distribution, as well as wastewater collection and treatment services for the community.
For more information about the City’s new water and sewer rate structure, visit https://www.fhgov.com/department-and-services/department-of-public-services/public-services/water-and-sewer-rates/ or contact the City’s Department of Public Services at 248-871-2530 or the WRC Billing Services department at 248-858-1110. The City also contracts with the Great Lakes Water Authority for drinking water treatment and distribution, and with the Evergreen-Farmington Sanitary Drain Drainage District for transportation to the Great Lakes Water Authority for wastewater treatment services.