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Residential Rates

Residential rates apply to homes, condos and apartment complexes. Multi-family homes with only one water meter are charged the TDS Surcharge, Street Light Fee, and Parks Fee times the amount of units in the building. 

Renter Deposit 

Renters must submit a deposit of $175 to begin services. Deposit will be applied to the renter’s final bill. (See Renters & Landlords page more information)

RENTER'S DEPOSIT: $175

Average Single Family Home Monthly Bill 

Below is a general breakdown of an average single family home water bill. For more information on the TDS surcharge, download our TDS surcharge letter.

TDS Surcharge Letter
WATER AVAILABILITY CHARGE$22.00 (2022 RATE $17.01)
DRINKING WATER USAGE$27.80 (AVERAGE)
SEWER WATER COLLECTION BASE SERVICE CHARGE$40.00 (2022 RATE $31.83)
SEWER WATER COLLECTION RATE$12.50 (AVERAGE)
TDS (TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS) SURCHARGE$7.61 (2022 RATE $5.07)
STREET LIGHT CHARGE$1.40
PARKS FEE CHARGE$1.75
RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER MONTHLY BILL TOTAL$113.06
Residential Water Rates 

Drinking water is the water that comes into the pipes of your home and yard for your usage (potable water). The drinking water service charge is based on the residential water meter size. Commercial addresses will be subject to commercial water meter service charges. See the commercial rates for more information.

Water Usage Rate For Single Residential/multi 3/4″ & 1″ Meters
(1 Unit = 748 Gallons Of Water)

1-5 UNITS OF WATER$4.33 PER UNIT
6-20 UNITS OF WATER$6.15 PER UNIT
21-35 UNITS OF WATER$9.52 PER UNIT
36+ UNITS OF WATER AND OVER$14.93 PER UNIT

Multi Family Homes (1 1/2″ Meters)
(1 Unit = 748 Gallons Of Water)

1-20 UNITS OF WATER$4.33 PER UNIT
21 - 60 UNITS OF WATER$6.15 PER UNIT
61 - 140 UNITS OF WATER$9.52 PER UNIT
141+ UNITS OF WATER$14.93 PER UNIT

Multi Family Homes (2″ Meters)
(1 Unit = 748 Gallons Of Water)

1-30 UNITS OF WATER$4.33 PER UNIT
31 - 90 UNITS OF WATER$6.15 PER UNIT
91 - 210 UNITS OF WATER$9.52 PER UNIT
211+ UNITS OF WATER$14.93 PER UNIT
Sewer Water Base Service Charge 

Sewer water is all water that flows out from your home and yard after usage (non-potable water). Water collection rate per unit is based on the average winter water collection amounts. The average collection amount per residential customer is five units.

SEWER BASE SERVICE CHARGE SINGLE FAMILY HOME$40.00/MONTH (2022 RATE $31.83)
SEWER BASE SERVICE CHARGE MULTI-FAMILY HOME (INDIVIDUALLY METERED)$40.00 + $2.50 (2022 RATE $31.83 + $1.87)
SEWER BASE SERVICE CHARGE MULTI-FAMILY HOME (ONE METER)$40.00 PER # APTS. (2022 RATE $35.57)
TDS (TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS) SURCHARGE$7.61/MONTH (2022 RATE $5.07)
TDS (TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS) SURCHARGE$7.61/MONTH

Sewer Water Collection Rate For Single Family Homes (1 Unit = 748 Gallons Of Water)

EACH UNIT OF COLLECTED WATER: $2.50 PER UNIT (2022 RATE $1.87)

(Winter Average Unit)

Ellicott Springs Sewer Water Collection Rates 

Sewer collection for residents in the Ellicott Springs subdivision are serviced by the Ellicott Utility Company Encinatas, California. Your monthly sewer bill is issued by Cherokee Metropolitan District and is reimbursed to the Ellicott Utility Company.

SEWER WATER COLLECTION BASE SERVICE CHARGE: $52.50/MONTH

Sewer Water Collection Rate (1 Unit = 748 Gallons Of Water)

EACH UNIT OF COLLECTED WATER: $2.50 PER UNIT

(Winter Average Unit)

Street Light Charge 

The Cherokee Metro District maintains the street lights within the district’s boundaries. Each account holder contributes to street light maintenance through a monthly fee.

STREET LIGHT CHARGE: $1.40/MONTH

Parks Fee Charge 

The Cherokee Metro District maintains parks and open spaces within the district’s boundaries. Each account holder contributes to park maintenance through a monthly fee.

PARKS FEE CHARGE: $1.75/MONTH

Late Payment Fee 

If there is an unpaid balance for two consecutive months, a late charge will be automatically applied to the account the day following the due date.

LATE PAYMENT FEE: $15.00

Other Payment Fees 
CREDIT/DEBIT CARD TRANSACTION FEE$3.25/TRANSACTION
ELECTRONIC CHECK TRANSACTION FEE.50¢/TRANSACTION
RETURNED CHECK FEE$40.00 (2022 FEE $35.00)
Technician Trip Fee 

If the technician arrives at the customer’s house to terminate service and the customer calls in to make a payment while the technician is there, payment can be made by phone, but a $50.00 trip fee will be added to the customer’s account.

TECHNICIAN TRIP FEE: $50

Reconnection Fee 

If water services have been disconnected, the customer must pay the outstanding services bill prior to water services being turned back on. When the customer pays the outstanding bill balance, a reconnection fee will also be applied to the account.

BUSINESS HOURS RECONNECTION FEE: $50

Business hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

AFTER-HOURS RECONNECTION FEE: $85

After-hours are Monday - Friday, 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. and weekends/holidays, 8:00 a.m. - 12noon.

Rate Comparison 
Chart comparing regional water and sewer rates from various utilities in February 2022, including charges like water use and stormwater fees.