Rates and Charges

Metropolitan Council Environmental Services strives to keep wastewater rates below the national average for large-sized utilities. We also contribute to the economic vitality of the region through quality and cost-effective wastewater utility management.

The chart below compares Twin Cities metro area wastewater services retail rates (city rates, which include our wholesale charges) to other publicly owned treatment systems across the country. Information is from the 2023 National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) Financial Survey, and compares average annual wastewater services retail rates (the chart includes all agencies that treat more than 100 million gallons per day and reported their rates to NACWA; in 2023, this was 20 agencies). Of these 20, the Twin Cities region has the seventh lowest average retail sewer rate (65% have higher rates). Our region’s average rate is 36% lower than the peer group average.

Municipal residential wastewater retail rates

In 2023, the regional average retail residential sewer rate per household in the Twin Cities for wastewater treatment was $392. That yearly charge is about 36% lower than the national average ($604) for peer reporting agencies.

Comparison of rates based on NACWA's survey:

Year	Twin Cities Average Retail Rate[1]	National Average Rate[2]	% Twin Cities is lower	National Ranking[3]
2023	$392	$604	36%	7 of 20 (65th percentile)
2016	$274	$468	41%	4 of 23 (86th percentile)
2013	$235	$404	40%	7 of 25 (75th percentile)
2010	$216	$393	45%	5 of 24 (83rd percentile)
2007	$195	$318	42%	5 of 22 (81st percentile)
2004	$181	$261	26%	6 of 23 (77th percentile)
2001	$186	$226	23%	6 of 31 (83rd percentile)
1998	$177	$222	23%	8 of 29 (72nd percentile)
1995	$171	$221	24%	8 of 29 (75th percentile)

[1]: Rate reported to NACWA in their triennial financial survey.
[2]: Includes peer agency group (those that treat more than 100 million gallons per day) from NACWA's triennial financial survey. [3]: Because of the different number of responses in each year, our percentile rank is also provided. This represents the percentage of respondents that reported higher retail rates than the Met Council.

2024 Survey of Municipal Residential Wastewater Rates (PDF)

Comparing the value

When compared to other household service costs, the Twin Cities average retail charge for sewer service is a bargain. The following graph shows average household costs per month.

Sources

1. City of Minneapolis
2. City of Saint Paul
3. J.D. Power
4. Minnesota Public Utilities Commission
5. U.S. Energy Information Administration
6. Xfinity Internet-service

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