A sewer user rate is the fee that is charged to users that use the municipal sewer system. The money collected is used to maintain and operate the sewer system. 

The sewer user rate is paid by all users of the municipal sewer system.  This includes residential and commercial/industrial users. 

An 8 percent increase that would go into effect on 10/1/2025 and another 8 percent increase that would go into effect on 10/1/2026. After that, future rate increases would be tied to Consumer Price Index – All Urban West Region to keep up with inflation. 

Sewer bills are sent out quarterly. The quarterly bill for a single-family home would be $191.23, an increase of $13.99 per quarter or $4.66 per month beginning on 10/1/2025. 

The quarterly bill for a multi-family residence would be $157.36, an increase of $11.48 per quarter or $3.82 per month beginning on 10/1/2025. 

A rate increase is proposed due to higher costs in chemicals, electricity, and insurance at the water reclamation facilities and large increases in construction contracts.  The cost of bleach used for disinfection to treat the water has increased 300 percent since 2020.  The cost of construction has increased more than 41.4 percent since 2019. 

The sewer user rates are reviewed every two years. During the last review completed in early 2025, the increased operating and construction costs showed a need to increase rates to continue to operate and maintain the sewer system.  The last time the sewer user rate increased more than the Consumer Price Index adjustment was October 1, 2015. 

A user fee rate study is completed every two years to make sure that the fees will cover the costs of operating and maintaining the municipal sewer system. The study looks at what it will cost to keep the sewer system operating on a daily basis and the projects that are needed to maintain the system, including replacement of infrastructure, over the next 10 years. This includes taking care of the pipes, equipment, and infrastructure that connect and move sewage from homes, businesses, and other buildings to the City’s water reclamation facilities, where sewage is treated safely and efficiently. This total cost is used to determine what rate is needed to operate and maintain the system.

The user fee rate study does not include projects for increasing the capacity of the sewer collection or treatment facility. Those costs are paid for through a different fee when development makes new connections to the sewer system from new homes and businesses.

• Read the 2025 Sewer Utility Rate Sufficiency Analysis

It is not. New development pays a different fee, called a sewer connection fee, when new homes and businesses connect to the sewer system. 

The City offers a sewer utility assistance program for those that meet eligibility criteria. Learn about the existing program.

The City is considering expanding this program by adding SNAP benefits as an additional eligibility criterion. In addition to the rate increase, the City would like to hear from you on expanding this program. 

• Reno: $177.24 quarterly (single family), $145.88 quarterly (multi-family)
• Sparks: $125.93 quarterly* 
• Washoe County $172.32 quarterly 
• Carson City $155.28 quarterly 
• Incline Village $217.83 quarterly 

*Sparks recent sewer user fee study recommending 6% increase in year 1 followed by 5 years of 5% increases.