Your Utility Bill, Explained

Settle in and pour yourself a big ol’ glass of crisp, fresh Raleigh Water, and I’ll tell you the tale of the water bill. It’s a story of anticipation and reward, fueled by the dedicated people who work hard behind the scenes 365 days a year.

If you think of your utility bill as a monthly story, then each month you get the script, either in your mailbox or as a pop-up in your virtual inbox. It might look a little like this example below. 

The bill essentially tells you how much water you used, along with a few other items. Don’t worry, take another sip of water; we’ll go through it together. Let me introduce you to the “characters” in the story. 

WATER BASE CHARGE

Every good story begins with a setting. In our case, this is readiness to serve, the daily ability to turn on your tap whenever you wish. Even if you didn’t use a single drop all month, this fee keeps the plot moving. Behind it are the hardworking crews reading meters, maintaining systems, and answering your phone calls in Customer Care and Billing. 

WATER USAGE TIERS

Now it’s time for the action. Raleigh Water uses a tiered rate system, meaning the more water your story requires, the higher the cost per unit. Think of it as the rising tension in our plot, encouraging smart water usage and rewarding those who keep their usage low.

WATERSHED PROTECTION FEE

Every hero needs a guardian. This fee funds the Watershed Protection Program, safeguarding thousands of acres of land that filter out contaminants like nitrogen and phosphorus before they reach your drinking water. 

WATER INFRASTRUCTURE REPLACEMENT CHARGE

This is the wise mentor, think Yoda. He’s saying helpful things, reminding us to invest in our future, upgrading pipes and pumps to keep our water safe and reliable. A little investment now can prevent a disastrous plot twist later. 

WASTEWATER BASE CHARGE

Every story has an unsung hero. This fee quietly maintains the wastewater system, ensuring that what leaves your home is whisked away and treated, whether you’ve used a lot or a little. 

WASTEWATER USAGE

Ah, the subplot you didn’t expect. This charge is based on how much wastewater you create (yes, how much you flush). Pro tip: a running toilet is a sneaky antagonist that can drive your bill way up. 

WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE REPLACEMENT CHARGE

Another long-term ally, this charge ensures the wastewater side of the system is ready for the next chapter, funding repairs and replacements before trouble strikes. 

MORE THAN JUST WATER

As you might notice, there are several lines and more charges than just what comes from your faucet or shower. You might be saying, “Hey, it’s a water bill, why am I seeing something that says recycling or solid waste?” While it's often called a “water bill,” it might be more accurate to call it a utility bill. This bill covers your utilities or services, such as water, solid waste, or yard waste.