Sewer Charges

Fairfax County

The fiscal year runs July 1 - June 30, annually. The rates take effect with service rendered after July 1. Most customers will see the new rates with meter readings on or after October 1. Monthly customers will see this change with August 1 readings and later.

If you need more information, please click here.

The base charge changes are presented in the table.

Base Charge

The sewer base charge is based on account type and meter size. The larger the meter size, the higher the base charge. The sewer base charge is collected to partially recover fixed expenses to operate and manage the system, which continue to increase. The aging system and increased regulatory requirements are contributing factors.

For accounts with more than one main meter, the base charges will be added and appear on the bill as one line item. Sub-meters will not be charged a sewer base.

Consumption

Effective with service rendered on July 1, 2024 or later, the residential customers are billed for use of the sanitary sewer system at a rate of $8.81 per 1,000 gallons. Sewer usage is based on water consumption during the current billing period or the preceding winter quarter billing period, whichever is lower. This prevents residential customers from being charged sewer rates on water used outdoors during the summer.

Residential customers who use the County’s sanitary sewer system and obtain water from a private well are charged based on the number of persons residing in the home.

Effective with service rendered on July 1, 2024 or later, the commercial customers are billed for sewer use based on their actual water consumption at a rate of $8.46 per 1,000 gallons. Some commercial customers use meters to separately measure water that does not drain to the sanitary sewer system, such as water used for irrigation or cooling systems. These metering arrangements do not benefit residential customers, whose winter quarter water consumption limits the amount of sewer usage billed in the summer months.

Commercial customers who use the County’s sanitary sewer system and obtain water from a private well are charged based on the number of fixtures in the commercial building.

City of Falls Church

On May 13, 2024, the Falls Church City Council passed an item to amend Chapter 42, "Utilities" to revise sewer rates and fees.

If you need more information, click here or you can direct questions to the Department of Public Works at 703.248.5350, TTY 711.

Base Charge

A fixed charge of $6.00 for quarterly bills and $2.00 for monthly bills is paid to the City of Falls Church to partially recover administrative and customer service costs.

Consumption

Residential customers are billed at a rate of $10.86 per 1,000 gallons. It is based on winter quarter water consumption or the actual water consumption during the current billing period, whichever is lower. This prevents residential customers from being charged sewer rates on water used outdoors during the warmer months because it does not drain to the sanitary sewer system. The City of Falls Church prorates this amount on initial and final bills based on average winter quarter consumption.

Non-metered Services - Single-family residences are billed on the basis of per capita average of similar users. These customers are charged based on the number of persons residing in the home.

Commercial customers are billed at a rate of $10.86 per 1,000 gallons. It is based on actual water consumption. Some commercial customers use additional meters to separately measure water that does not drain to the sanitary sewer system, such as water used for irrigation or cooling systems. Residential customers would not benefit from this type of metering because their winter quarter consumption already limits the amount of sewer usage billed in the summer months.

Taxes

Water and sewer utility taxes are assessed by and collected for the City of Falls Church. Residential customers are taxed on water and sewer at a rate of 10 percent each, with a maximum of $15 each. Commercial customers are taxed on water and sewer at a rate of 8 percent each, with no maximum.

City of Fairfax

On May 7, 2024, the City Council passed an item to amend Chapter 102, Article II, Section 102-31 of the Code of the City of Fairfax, to increase the rates for wastewater service furnished by the City by 6.0%

Sewer Minimum Charge is based on all water used up to 5,000 gallons during the current billing period.

Consumption

Fairfax City residential customers who do not have sub meters are billed at a rate of $12.33 per 1,000 gallons, above the minimum.  It is based on winter quarter consumption multiplied by a factor of 1.3 or actual water consumption during the current billing period, whichever is lower.

Commercial customers are billed at a rate of $12.33 per 1,000 gallons, above the minimum.  It is based on actual water consumption.

Some residential and commercial customers use additional meters to separately measure water that does not drain into the sanitary system, such as water used for irrigation or cooling systems.

Non-metered Services - Residences are billed a flat sewer service charge.

The apartment flat rate is $50.29/unit.

Apartment sewer charges are calculated by taking the greater of the following:

(a) The consumption times the rate ($12.33) + the minimum charge ($75.87)
(b) The Flat Sewer Rate ($50.29) times the number of units

Taxes

Utility tax is assessed by and collected for the City of Fairfax. The tax is equal to 15 percent of the water service charge. There is a maximum of $15 that is assessed to residential customers and a maximum of $500 to commercial customers.

Apartment water taxes are calculated by taking the lesser of the following, but shall not exceed $500 per month:

(a) The number of units multiplied by $2.25, or
(b) 15 percent of the water charges

If you need more information about rates, please click here or call 703-385-7915.

Lateral Repair and Replacement Charge

Effective April 1, 2017, Fairfax City sewer customers will see a Lateral Repair and Replacement Charge on their bill.

• Monthly Commercial Customers $3.00/bill
• Residential Quarterly Customers $4.50/bill

Income from this charge will be escrowed in a separate account and used solely for partial reimbursements for eligible wastewater lateral repairs and replacements, managed and paid by the customer, as well as other direct services provided by the Utility exclusively for this purpose. Eligibility is based on demonstrated need and meeting program requirements.  Click here for more information about the program.