Wastewater Rates
Where can I find how much I pay for wastewater service?
DSRSD bills single-family dwellings for wastewater service on the owner’s annual property tax bill. The new rate is reflected in county property tax bills. The service charge is listed as DSRSD SEWER SVC on the property tax bill as follows:
- Alameda County residents, look under Fixed Charges and/or Special Assessments.
- Contra Costa County residents, look under Special Taxes and Assessment.
Newly constructed single-family dwellings may be billed bimonthly until the next property tax bill. We bill all other customers bimonthly.
Residential Customers
Single-Family Dwellings
Rates Effective July 1, 2025
| Class |
Annual Rate |
Equiv. Bimonthly Rate |
| Single-family home or townhouse |
$530.04 |
$88.34 |
| Duplex |
$1,060.14 |
$176.69 |
| Single-Family w/ 2nd Dwelling Unit |
$927.78 |
$154.63 |
Multi-Unit Dwellings
Bimonthly Rates Effective July 1, 2025
| Class |
Rate |
| Multifamily/Condominium |
$66.27 per dwelling unit |
Rate Changes
The District bases its wastewater rates on the cost of providing service to each class of customer and rates usually increase each year on July 1. The DSRSD Board of Directors may change rates at other times as a result of rate studies or other factors. Customers are notified when rate changes are proposed as required by Proposition 218. Customers are encouraged to attend public hearings regarding rate changes and submit written comments. For more information on your rights to protest rate changes, see:
Frequently Asked Questions
How am I billed for wastewater services?
DSRSD bills individually metered residential dwellings for sewage collection and treatment on the owner’s annual property tax bill. The service charge is listed as DSRSD SEWER SVC on the property tax bill. Newly constructed residential dwellings may be billed on the bimonthly water bill until the next property tax bill. The District bills all other customers bimonthly.
Why does DSRSD bill residents for wastewater service annually via property tax bills?
The process helps keep District rates low by eliminating unpaid residential sewer service bills. When special districts such as DSRSD collect fees through property tax rolls, they receive 100 percent of the amounts billed to property owners, regardless of the actual amounts collected. The counties charge the districts a per-property billing fee and assume both the risk of nonpayment and the rewards of penalties and interest. DSRSD’s fees for collecting and treating residential wastewater are largely determined by fixed costs that must be spread over all customers. Delinquent accounts unfairly penalize customers who pay on time and can lead to higher rates for everyone.
When did DSRSD start billing annually for residential wastewater service?
In 2000 for southern San Ramon customers and in 2008 for Dublin customers.
Why are non-residential customers billed bimonthly for wastewater services?
Residential customers pay a flat annual charge based on the average cost per dwelling unit for sewage collection and treatment. In contract, businesses, schools, and industrial customers' sewer service charges vary in each bimonthly billing period. They pay for sewer service based on the amount of water they use for domestic (indoor) purposes, plus “wastewater strength” factors that affect the cost of collecting and treating their sewage.
Who provides wastewater services in Dougherty Valley?
Central Contra Costa Sanitary District (Central San) owns the sanitary sewers in Dougherty Valley and sends the wastewater to its treatment plant in Martinez.
Who provides wastewater services in Pleasanton?
The City of Pleasanton owns and operates its sanitary sewers and bills residents for wastewater collection and treatment. The city contracts with DSRSD for wastewater treatment.