Water and Sewer Utility Billing
Approximately 16,800 customers are billed for water and sewer services by the city of Minnetonka, for a total annual revenue of around $11 million.
The utility billing clerk can answer questions about your account, change the billing name or address, help you establish a new account, or schedule water meter readings for residents who are moving. Call 952.939.8255 Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Below are some frequently asked questions and answers about utility billing.
- How do I set up new utility (sewer and water) service?
- The city’s utility billing can check to be sure the previous resident has called to cancel service and that there are no past due amounts on the account. We will take the new service information and confirm the possession date. This same procedure is applicable for renters taking possession of a property. New water service set up should be done five business days before a closing or possession date. Call 952.939.8255 to set up new service.
- How do I cancel utility (sewer and water) service?
- To cancel utility service, you must know the following information: the date you are changing possession, the forwarding address for your final bill, and the name of the new owner. Call 952.939.8255 to cancel utility service.
- Does the city offer a payment plan?
- The city does offer a service that automatically withdraws the quarterly bill from your checking or savings account. This service is available to both commercial and residential accounts. You will continue to receive a bill showing the amount due and the due date, but the bill will state “Do not pay – automatic withdrawal on the due date.” This statement is for your records only.
- How do I set up automatic withdrawal to pay my utility bill?
- You must complete an automatic withdrawal form. Download the automatic utility payment form (PDF) here, or call 952.939.8255 to have a form mailed to you.
- Are all residents billed for utility service at the same time?
The city of Minnetonka bills each property quarterly (four times per year), but not all properties are billed in the same quarter. The city is divided into three billing groups, determined by place of residence within the city. Therefore, one property may receive its utility bill in January, April, July, and October, while another property might receive its utility bill in February, May, August and November.
Commercial, industrial, institutional and multi-residential (such as apartments or condominiums) accounts are read and billed monthly.
- How is water and sewer use calculated?
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Water is billed at a conservation tiered rate, as follows. There is no minimum use charge on water—you pay only for what you use. Effective July 1, 2009, to encourage water conservation, the heaviest water users (70,001+ gallons) are charged twice what the lightest water users (0-25,000 gallons) are charged. The middle two tiers are spread proportionately between the highest and lowest tiers. This practice is common in other cities and provides high-volume users with a greater incentive to conserve water.
- 0–25,000 gallons: $1.75 per thousand gallons
- 25,001–40,000 gallons: $2.00 per thousand gallons
- 40,001–70,000 gallons: $2.52 per thousand gallons
- 70,001 gallons and up: $3.50 per thousand gallons
The quarterly sewer charge is based on winter quarter water usage. Sewer is billed at $2.95 per thousand gallons, with a minimum of 15,000 gallons ($44.25). The sewer rate of new residents will be set at the 15,000 gallon average, until a history of their own use can be established.
- Is there a special utility rate for seniors?
- The city of Minnetonka offers a special sewer rate for individuals over age 62 who are homesteading their property in Minnetonka. Under this special rate, your sewer rate is based on the amount of water you use over the winter. So, if you use 10,000 gallons of water over the winter, you would be billed for only 10,000 gallons of sewer use, rather than the 15,000 minimum. There is no special rate for water, as all residents are billed only for what they use.
- How is commercial/industrial water billed?
- Effective July 1, 2009, commercial and industrial accounts are billed at a base rate of $1.75 per 1,000 gallons from October through April, the pay a summer surcharge rate of $2.00 per 1,000 gallons from May through September.
- Is commercial/industrial irrigation billed differently?
- Minnetonka has a three-tiered rate structure for commercial irrigation. This is similar to the tiered residential rate structure, and aims to encourage greater conservation by the largest commercial irrigation users.
- 0–75,000 gallons: $2.00 per 1,000 gallons
- 75,001–175,000 gallons: $2.52 per 1,000 gallons
- 175,001+: $3.50 per 1,000 gallons
- How is water meter reading done?
- Minnetonka has almost 17,000 water accounts, most of which are residential. Residential meters are read and billed quarterly. In 2009, risidential meters in the city were replaced to allow for remote electronic reading: A meter reader drives by each home and records the data on an electronic device. Remember, homes throughout the city are read at different times, based on where your home is located. Commercial, industrial, institutional, and multi-residential are read and billed monthly. If you have questions about your utility bill call 952.939.8255.
- My water bill seems really high. Why is that?
- If your bill covers a period that may have included summer watering, that could explain a rise in your water bill. Otherwise, investigate your home for dripping or leaking faucets; a toilet that is “running” (won’t shut off after flushing); or a malfunctioning water softener. All of these things can drastically increase your water consumption.
- What other items are included in my utility bill?
- Your utility bill includes charges for water, sewer, recycling and state testing fees. Certain individuals may be billed for ornamental street lighting as well. Call 952.939.8255 if you have questions about your utility bill.
- How does the city determine changes to utility fees?
At its June 30, 2008, meeting, the Minnetonka City Council adopted several changes to the way water and sewer fees are charged, including determining that future increases will be by a percentage amount, rather than by a fixed dollar amount. The fixed five- and ten-cent increases of past years have represented a much lower percentage increase than the increases in annual operating costs. To bring rates into line with operating costs, future water rate increases will be increased by 2.8 percent rather than by a fixed amount. Sewer rates will be increased to correspond to the increases passed on to the city by the Metropolitan Council for sewage treatment—5.5% in 2008 and 2009, and 5% afterwards.
Storm water rates will also be increased by a percentage rather than by a fixed rate. The 2008 rate increase of 6.25%—which translates to a total charge of $5.42 per month for residential properties—is necessary to accommodate funding for street reconstruction, state and federal mandates, inflationary costs, and for storm water projects included in the city’s 2009–2013 Capital Improvements Program.
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