Water Rates

Minimum Bill

The minimum bill is based on whether you live inside or outside the city of Charleston and the size of your water service connection. Most residential customers have a 3/4-inch service line.

Larger connection sizes pay a higher amount because they carry more water and place a greater demand on our system. Commercial buildings that have a high water demand, such as hotels and industrial facilities, can have a service line up to 12 inches in diameter.

Your monthly minimum bill pays for water service availability and up to 2 Ccf (1,496 gallons) of water use. Even if you don't use any water, the infrastructure must be in place to make service available to you and provide fire protection. The monthly minimum charge recovers these costs, as well as costs associated with administrative services like meter reading and billing.

Inside / Outside City Rates

We have a statutory responsibility to provide water and sewer service in Charleston. Over the years, our Board of Commissioners has extended our services to other municipalities. This expansion increases risk, cost, and operational challenges, so we bill customers in these areas at a higher rate.

Minimum Bill Rates, effective 1/1/2026
Connection Size:  3/4 inch
Inside City: $17.25
Outside City: $27.80

Connection Size: 1 inch
Inside City: $21.50
Outside City: $32.60

Connection Size: 1.5 inch
Inside City: $42.20
Outside City: $55.20

Connection Size: 2 inch
Inside City: $57.40
Outside City: $71.90

Connection Size: 3 inch
Inside City: $124.25
Outside City: $145.50

Connection Size: 4 inch
Inside City: $200.25
Outside City: $228.50

Connection Size: 6 inch
Inside City: $390.00
Outside City: $437.00

Connection Size: 8 inch
Inside City: $579.50
Outside City: $646.00

Connection Size: 10 inch
Inside City: $770.00
Outside City: $854.50

Connection Size: 12 inch
Inside City: $883.50
Outside City: $979.00