Why the increase

The sewer service fee for homeowners and business increase July 1, 2011. New environmental rules to protect the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay are the main reason. Under these rules, all sewage treatment plants must further reduce their discharge of nutrients such as nitrogen, to the limit of technology. These rules require the county to install expensive, new equipment at its treatment plant, and pay its share at regional plants that treat sewage from county homes and businesses.

The county’s sewer system that collects and pumps wastewater (sewage) to treatment plants and its treatment plant facilities and equipment is aging. Many components have reached the end of their usefulness. Much of the county's growth occurred post-World War II, into the 1950s and 1960s, and therefore much of the sewer system is 50 to 60 years old. If pipes and pump stations that collect and transport the sewage are not replaced or rehabilitated, old sewer lines will eventually break, releasing raw sewage into rivers, streams and homes. Similarly, failure of aging wastewater treatment systems will result in discharge of untreated wastewater to streams and rivers. This will result in the violation of federal regulations, adversely impact water quality and will have an adverse impact on public health and safety due to contaminated waters. Sewer rates must be increased to cover the cost of replacing this aging infrastructure.

Even with this increase, Fairfax County has one of the lowest rates in the D.C. region. The additional dollars will help make the county’s wastewater treatment plant one of the best in the nation. The plant removes up to 99.5 percent of pollutants, and it meets 100 percent of federal pollution control standards. 

How much it will cost

Based on an average quarterly residential usage of 19,000 gallons, homeowners will pay approximately $14.06 more per quarter, or a total of $56.24 more per year. The county still has one of the lowest rates in the region. Actual costs may vary because homeowners and businesses mainly pay based on how much water they use.

How much sewer fees will increase

The Board of Supervisors approved a sewer rate increase of 74 cents per 1,000 gallons, for a rate of $6.01 per 1,000 gallons of water used. The $5 service fee per quarter, instituted in FY 2010, will not increase. Many other governments in the region charge a similar service fee, including the cities of Alexandria and Fairfax and Loudoun and Prince William counties. Many of the expenses associated with the sewer system are fixed costs and not flow related, including billing and collections.

How the fee increase will be used

The money will be used to:

• Construct facilities and purchase equipment to treat wastewater in order to meet new environmental rules.
  
• Pay the county's share of required improvements at other treatment plants that treat sewage from the county.
  
• Operate and maintain the sewer system.
  
• Pay debt for building new infrastructure and facilities.

Taxes paid to the county do not support the cost of collecting and treating sanitary sewage. The Sewer Program is only supported by the fees that are paid by its customers and residents.

How the decision will be made

The Board of Supervisors gathered public feedback on any proposed fee changes, including holding public hearings. The Board approved the new rate as part of their final budget, adopted April 26, 2011.

Possibility of future increases

It is anticipated that rate increases will be necessary in the future. However, the Board of Supervisors must approve any future rate increases.

Why might rates go up again? To meet new environmental rules, the county will need to install new equipment and build new facilities. These items generate new operating and maintenance costs for the county. Also, the cost of electricity and chemicals used in treating wastewater will increase.

Expressing your opinion

If you wish to express your opinion about the fee increase, contact the Board of Supervisors.

For more information about the FY 2012 budget, visit the county’s budget page.

More information

More information about the fee increase can be found in the Wastewater Revenue Sufficiency and Rate Analysis report. Or, you can contact Wastewater Management at 703-324-5015, TTY 711.

Fee Increase at a Glance

• Rate is increasing 74 cents per 1,000 gallons, for a rate of $6.01 per 1,000 gallons of water used.
• New environmental rules to protect the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay are the main reason for increase.
• Sewer rates also are increasing to cover the cost for replacing our aging sewer system.
• The county still has one of the lowest rates in the region.