Show All Answers

1. Why the change?

The change in the rate structure will help to more accurately reflect the costs of providing water and sewer services while also making the minimum basic water consumption more affordable.

2. Is this a rate increase?

No, this is not a rate increase, it is a change to the structure by which rates are charged. Some customers will see a small decrease in their average bills, some will see a small increase. The annual rate increase of 2.9% will take effect in January. 

3. What is a CCF?

A CCF is the measurement used to determine the amount of water used. It stands for centum cubic feet, which means 100 cubic feet. One CCF is equal to 748 gallons. 

4. What is a bimonthly service charge?

Each customer will be charged a set water and sewer fee each billing period, no matter how much water is consumed. On your bill, you’ll see that the service fees are charged by the day which means if your billing period is 62 days long, the service fee will be slightly more; if the billing period is 57 days long, your service fee will be slightly less. Service charges help to keep our water treatment plants and pump stations running, even on days when you don’t turn on the faucet. These services have to be available at a moment’s notice, so even if you don’t regularly use these services, the system is still running and must be maintained 24/7.

5. Why are there different charges based on how much water is used?

Every customer gets their first 10 CCFs at the lowest rate so that we can provide live-sustaining water at the most affordable price possible. This rate structure enhances affordability for low-volume residential users.  

6. Why can't all amounts of water used cost the lower price per CCF?

The Public Utilities Department is funded solely by rates paid by water and sewer customers, as opposed to other City departments that receive funding from taxes and the General Fund. This means that water and sewer bills have to cover all of the costs of providing water and sewer services. For that reason, the rates and rate structure must be set at a level that can cover costs in the most affordable way for the customer.

7. How long is a billing period?

Billing periods are bimonthly, meaning they’re an average of 60 days long. This can vary slightly in either direction due to weather, holidays, staffing, and other factors. But in general, residential customers will receive a bill every other month. 

8. Do these changes affect the Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) changes on my bimonthly bill?

No. While both the HRSD and Chesapeake charges appear on the same bimonthly bill, the Chesapeake rate structure is separate from HRSD charges. Those will still appear on your bill at HRSD rates.

Chesapeake's bill covers the treatment and delivery of fresh drinking water and the transport of sewer to the HRSD sewer transmission system. HRSD charges you (their current rate multiplied by CCFs used for that billing period) for wastewater transmission and treatment. 

9. Why does the daily service rate have so many decimal points?

The daily service rate shown in the bill description on bills is directly linked to the bill factor table in the Customer Care and Billing software used by HRSD and the City.  This accurately reflects published bill rates.