Sewer Rates

Sewer Rates Explained

On December 17, 2013, the City of Delano sewer rates were increased by $0.39 per thousand gallons water used.  The City's Sanitary Sewer Bonds require the Sanitary Sewer Fund maintain a positive cash flow each year.  Due to the reduction in building permits the sewer user fee needs to be adjusted.

During the four winter months (December, January, February, and March) for every thousand gallons of water used residents will be charged $13.26 - minimum charge of $8.00 is then added.  During the eight summer months (April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November) the previous four winter months are averaged.  The reason this is done is because during the winter months residents are not watering lawns, trees, gardens, filling kids wading pools, washing cars in the driveway, etc. - so a more accurate usage occurs as this summer water goes directly into the ground and not into the sanitary sewer system.  (The utility bills will indicate which billing cycle we are in.)

Residents may submit a request for a review to their next summer average period should they experience a water line break or leaky water appliance, such as a toilet or water softener.

City Staff will review the request and either refund or adjust the average according to guidelines set by City Council.  Please submit your name, address, account number and explanation of what happened.  You can contact City Hall in person at 234 2nd Street North, by phone (763) 972-0584, by fax (763) 972-6174 or you can e-mail Brian Bloch, directly at bbloch@delano.mn.us

For more questions regarding sewer user rates, please feel free to contact City Hall.