Sewer Rates Frequently Asked Questions

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The sewer fees go into the Reno Sewer Enterprise Fund which is principally used for:

Operating, maintaining, and repairing our two wastewater treatment plants (Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility and Reno-Stead Water Reclamation Facility) to protect public health, our water ways and to comply with state and federal regulations;

Planning, designing, and constructing projects to rehabilitate our wastewater treatment and collection systems;

Inspecting, cleaning, and repairing our sewers, storm drains, and ditches to minimize backups and overflows;

A fraction of the funds are also used for:

Managing the federally mandated Environmental Control program which permits and inspects commercial and industrial discharges to our sewers (permit fees are collected so most of the activities for this program are self reliant);

Delivering reclaimed water to reuse sites such as golf courses and parks which help preserve our potable water supplies and river resources.

Coordinating the Regional Storm Water Management Program with other public agencies to comply with state and federal regulation.

Planning and facilitating watershed improvement projects such as river restoration, bank stabilization, and flood and drainage projects.

Fees are increased to keep up with the costs of operating, repairing, and replacing our wastewater collection and treatment plant infrastructure, as well as to manage and maintain our compliance with a number of state and federal regulatory programs. Much of the existing infrastructure has been inspected and evaluated and prioritized for repair or replacement. This increase will enable the City to "pay as you go" for the rehabilitation and replacement projects scheduled. 

New development projects pay sewer connection fees that are designated to pay for such things as expansion of facilities, like wastewater treatment plants or new sewer collection lines.  So as new customers come on to the system, collection and treatment facilities can accommodate the additional flow. 

Customer billing can be checked.  Provide the customer account number, service address and contact information to the Finance-Sewer Division via e-mail at renosewer@reno.gov or by calling the billing office at (775) 334-2095.

Administration Charge: $2.40 (residential) and $4.20 (commercial) - Covers the cost of processing and sending out the bills.

Operation, Maintenance & Replacement (OM&R): Provides for the administration, operation, maintenance and minor replacement of the sewage plants, pumping stations and collection system.

Capitalization: Provides for debt service, depreciation, major replacement for the sewer collection system and treatment plants and other costs required to maintain the ability to continue providing services.