Utilities Information

Common Questions
How do I sign up for Utilities?

WCWCD Excess Water Use Surcharge

Santa Clara City has approved the Washington County Water Conservancy District’s increase in the Excess Water Use Surcharge for new connections to the regional water system that began on or after January 1, 2023.

Effective January 1, 2023, in addition to existing water rates, a surcharge applies to users who exceed a defined monthly water use threshold. These thresholds and surcharge amounts vary based on when the user’s impact fee was paid. Collected surcharge fees are used to support regional water conservation programs.

Users who paid an impact fee on or before December 31, 2022 will be assessed $1 per 1,000 gallons of excess use.

Users who paid an impact fee on or after January 1, 2023 will be assessed $10 per 1,000 gallons of excess use.

Residential Water Use Thresholds

Date of Impact FeeWater Type*Winter
(Dec–Feb)
Spring
(Mar–Apr)
Summer
(May–Sept)
Fall
(Oct–Nov)
On or before Dec 31, 2022Potable only or potable with secondary36,000 gal36,000 gal36,000 gal36,000 gal
On or after Jan 1, 2023Potable only8,000 gal15,000 gal20,000 gal15,000 gal
Potable with secondary8,000 gal8,000 gal8,000 gal8,000 gal

*Potable water is treated to drinking water standards. Secondary water is untreated water used for irrigation purposes.

Non-Residential Potable Water Use Thresholds

Meter SizeMonthly Threshold
3/4″36,000 gallons
1″80,000 gallons
1.5″260,000 gallons
2″420,000 gallons
3″850,000 gallons
4″1,400,000 gallons
6″2,600,000 gallons
8″4,200,000 gallons

For more information, visit the Washington County Water Conservancy District website.

What is wastewater?

Wastewater is used water. It includes substances such as human waste, food scraps, oils, soaps and chemicals. In homes, this includes water from sinks, showers, bathtubs, toilets, washing machines and dishwashers. Businesses and industries also contribute their share of used water that must be cleaned.

Current Sewer Rates: 
Residential – $26.05
Commercial – $32.65

Where can I Pay my utility Bill?
Water Rates

Santa Clara City Water Rates

Water Base Fee – The base fee helps cover fixed costs to the city’s water utility, including pumps, storage facilities, and the distribution system. This fee supports the operation and maintenance of the city’s water pipelines and ensures reliable water service to residents and businesses.

Water Consumption – This fee accounts for the actual water used and is added on top of the base fee. Santa Clara uses a tiered water rate system: the more water consumed, the higher the rate per 1,000 gallons. Meter sizes affect billing through a multiplier—typical ¾″ residential meters have a multiplier of 10, meaning usage is multiplied by 10 to calculate total gallons billed during the cycle.

In response to a Washington County Water Conservancy District rate increase of $0.10 per 1,000 gallons effective July 1, 2022, Santa Clara adopted an updated tiered rate structure. This change aims to promote water conservation while keeping indoor use rates affordable and competitive.

Tiered Water Consumption Rates

BASE RATE$37.25# OF GALLONSRate per 1,000 Gallons
0–9,000 Gallons$1.20
9,001–16,000 Gallons$1.73
16,001–23,000 Gallons$1.98
23,001–30,000 Gallons$2.73
30,001–36,000 Gallons$3.38
36,001 & Up$4.68

Monthly Base Charge by Meter Size

Meter SizeRate# of ERU’s
5/8 x 3/4″ & 3/4″$37.251
1″$62.851.8
1 1/2″$133.254
2″$229.257
3″$517.2516
4″$933.2529
Whats the garbage Schedule?
Garbage and Blu Can Information

Current Garbage Rate: $14.50
Recycling Rate: $6.50

How many cans do I get and how do I request them?
Residential waste service includes up to 2 waste containers and 1 recycling container if in an area serviced by curbside recycling. Please refer to the lid of the BluCan container to help our program be successful and keep costs low.
Additional containers are available for an additional service fee upon request by calling our office at 435-673-2813.
For new residences needing cans, or to have your cans repaired or replaced, call our office or fill out this form.

List of Recycling Materials Accepted:
Aluminum cans
Cardboard – i.e.: packaged food boxes, shipping boxes, etc. (No greasy boxes)
Mixed paper – i.e.: Junk mail, magazines, paper bags, and paper packaging, etc.
Plastic #1 and #2 – i.e.: Water bottles, milk jugs, detergent bottles, etc. (Hint: look at the bottom of the container for a number 1, 2, … located inside the recycling symbol.) (No plastic bags)
Steel food cans – i.e.: tuna fish cans, #10 food storage cans, etc.
Please do not place your items to be recycled in bags, they should be placed directly in the Binnie or in the BluCan recycling container as separate items!  Glass – Should only be taken to the Binnies and not be placed in the BluCan container!!! 

Location of Recycling Bins:
Gubler Park – Southeast Corner Parking Lot

City Hall Hours

Justice Court Hours

After Hours Emergency