The City of Folsom (City) receives water from Folsom Reservoir through a complex set of water rights and contractual agreements. As a result of these agreements, the City was required to implement a meter retrofit program and transition its water service customers from a flat rate to a metered rate billing structure.
The City provides water to residents and businesses located in two customer service areas divided by the American River. Customers on the north side of the American River (Ashland area) receive water that has been diverted and treated by San Juan Water District (SJWD) and delivered by the City. Customers on the south side receive water from the City that has been diverted from Folsom Reservoir and treated at the City’s Water Treatment Plant.
2012 -- Preparing for Metered Water Billing
The City of Folsom is helping residents prepare for the transition from flat water rates to metered rate billing for actual water use by providing comparative information on monthly utility bills. Folsom water customer bills now include information about the actual volume of water used the previous month, and the amount that would be charged for that water when state-mandated water meter billing begins in January 2013.
Q: My latest utility bill contains a lot of information. What amount is now due for payment?
Please pay the Total Amount Due listed in bold print on the Payment Coupon. The metered rate information is purely informational.
Q: Why is the City including comparative water information on utility bills?
The City is providing this information as a service to our residents. We hope this information will help customers adjust their water usage to conserve water now and to better understand their water use patterns in different seasons prior to the implementation of metered water rates in 2013.
Q: Why is Folsom switching from a flat rate to metered rates?
State law required that Folsom install water meters at all residences within the City’s water service area and begin charging for the amount of water delivered through water meters by 2013.
If the City does not take this action, future water projects could be at risk. In recent years the City has obtained more than $1 million in state and federal grants for water projects, and the City plans to apply for additional grants in the next few years.
Q: When will metered rates begin?
Metered rates begin in January 2013. The City will read meters on February 1, and bill water customers for the actual volume of water used from January 1 – 31. Folsom water customers will receive the bill for January water use in March.
Q: Can I switch to metered rates now?
No. All Folsom water customers will begin paying metered rates for actual water use in 2013.
Q: Will my water bill be higher next year than it is today?
Residents currently pay a flat monthly rate of $37.55 for unlimited water. Beginning in January 2013, residents will pay a monthly base rate, plus a commodity rate based upon actual water usage (similar to your gas and electricity bills). Resident who use an average amount of water per month (17,000 gallons or about 22.5 CCF) will pay meter rate bills that are comparable to current flat rate bills.
Q: What water rates will I pay in 2013?
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Residential Customers
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January 2013 Meter Rates
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Single Family
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$ 15.00 base plus water used
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Single Family Low Income
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$ 9.45 base plus water used
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Manufactured Home
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$ 6.83 base plus water used
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Manufactured Home Low Income
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$ 4.27 base plus water used
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Residential Water Use
(One CCF = 748 Gallons)
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Commodity Rate
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0-20 CCF
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$ 1.08 per CCF
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20 – 40 CCF
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$ 1.30 per CCF
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Over 40 CCF
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$ 1.60 per CCF
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Q: Will the East Area surcharge and the swimming pool surchage continue after we begin paying metered rates?
The East Area surchange will continue. The swimming pool surcharge will be dropped.
Q: Why did some residents switch to metered rates at an earlier time?
Residents of neighborhoods north of Lake Natoma (Ashland Service Area) receive water from the San Juan Water District, which was required to begin water meter billing in 2006. Therefore, those residents have been paying meter rates for more than six years. Beginning in January, Ashland area rates will be adjusted to conform to the rest of the city’s rates.
Q: Does the state require that all cities in the region bill for metered rates?
Sacramento has until 2025 to convert to metered rates. All other cities in the region are now, or will soon be billing for consumptive water use based on water meters.
Q: Does metering really save water?
Studies have shown that water meters generally result in a 20 percent reduction in water consumption, and also reduce overall energy use and sewage treatment.
Q: Is the City providing assistance to residents who need help conserving water?
Utility bills issued from March 2012 through February 2013 will include a flat rate amount for payment, plus information about the actual volume of water used the previous month, and the amount you would be billed for that amount of water when metered water billing takes effect in 2013. We hope this information will help you adjust your water usage.
The City also continues to offer free in-hour evaluations by water conservation experts. Call (916) 355-7252 to learn how to adjust your sprinklers for maximum effectiveness and other personalized water saving recommendations.
Q: I have additional questions, who should I call?
Billing Questions? Call (916) 355-7295
Metered Water Questions? Call (916) 355-8337
Water Conservation Questions? Call (916) 355-7252
