Rates and Fees

The water service base fee is intended to cover fixed operational costs, such as general administration, billing, accounting, customer service, etc. The fixed fees are based on water meter size.

*1" single family dwelling is an account supplied by a dedicated 1" or smaller street service connection and for which the property structure is described in county property tax records as either single family dwelling or townhome.

Billed based on the volume of water that flows through your water meter. Measured in billing units; one billing unit is equal to 748 gallons (100 cubic feet) of water.

The water main replacement surcharge is $0.30 per billing unit of water used for the cities of Saint Paul, Falcon Heights, Lauderdale, Maplewood, Mendota Heights, and West Saint Paul. It's used to pay for the replacement of water mains. 

For a typical residential bill for a single family using 18 units of water per quarter, this amounts to $5.40 per quarter for these communities where the infrastructure is owned by SPRWS.

Typical water consumption for a residential single family in our service area is 18 units (13,464 gallons) per quarter. A breakdown of typical water charges assuming 18 units per quarter is below. Your total bill may be higher because of non-water charges. Individual results will vary based on water usage, water meter size, and community.

*Only applies to Saint Paul, Falcon Heights, Lauderdale, Maplewood, Mendota Heights, and West Saint Paul

**Only applies to Saint Paul

​Right of Way recovery fees were introduced by the city of Saint Paul in 2012. The utility collects these fees to reimburse the city for costs it incurs as a result of buried water infrastructure within the city Right of Way. These fees remain unchanged in 2025.

Introduced in 1992, the Minnesota Safe Drinking Water fee is collected by community water suppliers on behalf of the Minnesota Department of Health. The fee funds the department's oversight of drinking water in the state of Minnesota. For more information about this fee, refer to the Minnesota Department of Health's page.

$2.43 / quarter for quarterly accounts

$0.81 / month for monthly accounts

Late fee: 5 percent of the total current charges (applied within 30 days of the bill date)

Returned check/insufficient funds fee: $30 per instance

Water shut off/turn on fee: $50

• Incurred for shut off due to:
  • Code violation
  • Non-payment
  • Requests (construction, seasonal shut off, emergency)

Meter reading fee (for touchpad readers): $12 per read

Inside private property:

1.25 inch or smaller service: $600

1.5 inch or larger service: $600 for the first two hours, $300 per hour for additional hours

In the public right of way:

First thawing of each winter season is typically free.

Second thawing and beyond uses the private property pricing found above.

For more information on other charges or meter sizes, contact meter operations at 651-266-6850.

Contractor Hydrant Use Fees

(Stated fee + sales tax)

Permits: $40 for each permit and every 30-day period; an additional $10 for each hydrant used for each 30-day period to cover inspection and ordinary wear and tear

Volume charges: current highest rates

Base fees, right of way recovery fees, etc.: same as any retail account

Winter use fee: $30 for each 30-day period for hydrant use from December 1 - April 1

For all permits granted, a $1,000 deposit is required. This will be returned upon receipt of equipment issued, minus any charges for damages, etc.

Temporary Potable Water Hydrant Fees

(Issued for city-approved special events)

Please call the engineering service desk at 651-266-6270.

Connections

1-inch street service connection. SPRWS will furnish, tap, and install 1-inch water service. Fixed cost of $1,050 where connection meets these criteria:

• Excavation and restoration provided by others
• 12-inch and smaller main
• 79 foot or less Right-of-Way width
• 109 foot or less Right-of-Way width when located in cul-de-sac
• Streets with two mains on opposite sides of the street

All other service connections are done at actual cost, payment of estimated costs required prior to scheduling of work.

Cut Offs

Information regarding plumbing permits can be found on our Contractor Resources page.

For more information on contractor fees, contact the engineering service desk at 651-266-6270.