Utility bills are for water and sewer services received in the prior two months and are mailed out bi-monthly.
All water service in the District is metered. Water use from 0-600 cubic feet per billing period is covered by the base rate. Average water use over the duration of two months for one person is about 600 cubic feet. If more than 600 cubic feet are used, customers are charged per 100 cubic feet. Water usage typically increases during the summer months.
The sewer portion of your bill accounts for the majority of the base rate. Sewer costs to the District are based upon the volume of sewage sent to the City of Bellingham for treatment. All District customers pay the same bi-monthly water and sewer rates.
Many district customers, especially those who have just moved to the area, have questions about what makes up the cost of their bi-monthly bill. For more detailed information about how rates are set, please click here.
Current Rates for 2019 (every two months)
|Total Base Rate||$233.71|
|Water Usage Over 600 Cubic Feet up to 2,500 (per 100 cubic feet)||$9.98|
|Water Usage Over 2,500 Cubic Feet (per 100 cubic feet)||$12.48|
Calculating Water Consumption
- The following applies to calculating water consumption only. Sewer charges are billed at a flat rate of $163.40 regardless of volume.
- On the left side of your bill, you will see the meter number, followed by meter readings and consumed cubic feet (‘consumed’).
- If the total amount of water consumed is equal to or less than 600 cubic feet, your water consumption is included in the base rate for service. Refer to the rate table above for our current rates for service.
- If the total amount of water consumed is 601-2500 cubic feet, apply the following to figure out your consumption charges:
- Subtract 600 from the total amount of water consumed. This is included in your base rate.
- Multiply the remainder by 0.0998. This is your consumption charge. This amount is in addition to the basic rate for service.
- Adam used 950 cubic feet of water.
- 600 cubic feet are included in his base charge of $70.31.
- 950 – 600 = 350
- 350 cubic feet are billed at the consumption rate of $9.98 per 100 cubic feet for a total of $34.93 (350 x $0.096).
- Mary’s total water fees will be $105.24 ($70.31 + $34.93)
- If the total amount of water consumed is 2501 cubic feet or higher, apply the following to figure out your consumption charges:
- Subtract 2500 from the total amount of water consumed. The first 600 cubic feet are included in your base rate.
- Usage from 601-2500 cubic feet of your total consumption will be billed at the second tier rate of 0.0998/cubic foot, which is $189.62.
- Multiply the remainder by 0.1248. This is your consumption charge. This amount is in addition to the basic rate for service.
- Mary used 3200 cubic feet of water.
- 600 cubic feet are included in her base charge of $70.31.
- 3200 – 600 = 2600
- 1900 cubic feet are billed at the consumption rate for 600-2500 cubic feet, which is $189.62 (1900 x $0.0998).
- 2600 – 1900 = 700
- The remaining 700 cubic feet are billed at $12.48 per 100 cubic feet, for a total of $87.36 (700 x $0.1248).
- Mary’s total water fees will be $347.29 ($70.31 + $189.62 + $87.36)
Other Assessments: ULID #18 Basics
In 2001, the Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District Board of Commissioners formed ULID #18 for the financing of the Lake Louise Road Sewer Interceptor. Some vacant properties located within the benefit area were excluded from the assessment role because the property owner elected to “opt out” of ULID #18 by recording a Restrictive Covenant. A Restrictive Covenant prevents the property from receiving sewer service for a period of at least 25 years from December 16, 2002.
The original amount for ULID #18 was $2,792.78 per assessment.
Billing for Installments:
- ULID statements are billed annually on March 1st to the owners of assessed lots carrying an open assessment balance.
- Charges for water and sewer service, if the lot is connected to the water and/or sewer system, are billed separately.
- ULID charges are billed at $139.64 principal and 9.5% interest on the remaining unpaid balance on the assessment.
- The due date for the minimum annual payment is April 30th of the year it is billed.
- A 30-day grace period is allowed. If the minimum annual amount due is not paid by the due date, including the grace period, a past due fee of 12% will be assessed against the annual minimum amount due.
For more information about ULID #18, please contact the District Office.
Billing Cycle for Geneva and North Shore Service Areas
|Service for||Billing Date||Due Date|
|January – February||March 1st||April 20th|
|March – April||May 1st||June 20th|
|May – June||July 1st||August 20th|
|July – August||September 1st||October 20th|
|September – October||November 1st||December 20th|
|November – December||January 1st||February 20th|
Billing Cycle for Sudden Valley Service Area
|Service for||Billing Date||Due Date|
|February – March||April 1st||May 20th|
|April – May||June 1st||July 20th|
|June – July||August 1st||September 20th|
|August – September||October 1st||November 20th|
|October – November||December 1st||January 20th|
|December – January||February 1st||March 20th|
In 2014, the Board of Commissioners passed Resolution 807, Establishing Policies for the Administration of the Newly Adopted Low-Income Senior/Disabled Reduced Rate Effective January 1, 2015.
The District offers reduced rates to qualified low-income senior and disabled customers for water and sewer utilities provided by the District. In order to qualify for these rates, the property owner must provide written documentation from the Whatcom County Assessor’s Office demonstrating that the applicant is currently approved for a property tax exemption under the “Property tax exemption program for senior citizens and disabled persons.” For further qualifications, or to apply for reduced rates, please see the below application.