Water and Sewer Utility Billing

New: You can now use our online utility billing system: you can pay your utility bills online, and you can also choose to receive your utility bills by email

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 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

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.

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 an automatic payment plan?

The city does offer a service that automatically pays your quarterly bill by charging your credit card or withdrawing funds 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 payments to pay my utility bill?

You must complete an automatic payment 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?

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.

• 0–18,000 gallons: $1.89 per thousand gallons
• 18,001–40,000 gallons: $2.16 per thousand gallons
• 40,001–70,000 gallons: $2.72 per thousand gallons
• 70,001 gallons and up: $3.77 per thousand gallons

The quarterly sewer charge is based on winter quarter water usage. Sewer is billed at $1.49 per thousand gallons, with a base fee of $42.00 per quarter. 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.

How is commercial/industrial water billed?

Effective January 1, 2013, commercial and industrial accounts are billed at a base rate of $1.89 per 1,000 gallons from October through April, then pay a summer surcharge rate of $2.15 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: $2.16 per 1,000 gallons
• 75,001–175,000 gallons: $2.72 per 1,000 gallons
• 175,001+: $3.77 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, residential 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 December 17, 2012, meeting, the Minnetonka City Council adjusted water and sewer fees and made a change to the sewer rate structure effective January 1, 2013. To bring water rates into line with operating costs, the water rate was increased to meet inflationary pressures built up during the city's utility rate hike "freeze" over the last two years. The council eliminated the minimum use requirement for sewer charges to ensure that every customer benefits by their own conservation efforts. All customers will now share in the fixed costs of the system through a base fee, while the sewer use rate was cut by more than half. The tiered water structure remains in place in order to encourage water conservation.

Storm water fees also received a hiatus in 2012, and therefore were increased by 3.0% for 2013 to accommodate funding for street reconstruction, state and federal mandates, inflationary costs, and for storm water projects included in the city’s 2013–2017 Capital Improvements Program. This translates to a total charge of $5.93 per month for residential properties.