Questions About Your Water/Sewer Bill?
How do I read my water and sewer bill?
Contact Information
Western Virginia Water Authority
601 S. Jefferson Street
Roanoke, VA 24011
540-853-5700
540-853-5701 FAX
billing@westernvawater.org
Customer service representatives are available from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday-Friday (except holidays)
What is my meter reading cycle?
The Western Virginia Water Authority physically reads customer's meters every other month. In months where we do not actually read your meter, we estimate your utility bill. Most customers average 28 to 31 days per billing period and are billed monthly.
Why are bills monthly instead of quarterly?
Before the formation of the Water Authority, residential customers in the City of Roanoke were billed quarterly. Commercial customers in the City of Roanoke and all customers in Roanoke County were billed monthly. Many City residents expressed their desire to be billed monthly. Having all customers billed monthly streamlines the billing process and simplifies household budgeting. Monthly billing for all customers will also allow the Water Authority to equalize water and sewer rates for all customers over the next six years.
What does the “E” or a “C” on my bill mean?
Residential water meters are physically read every other month. Therefore, one bill is derived from an actual reading and will reflect actual consumption. The next bill will be derived from a water consumption estimate based on the previous month's actual usage. Estimated bills are indicated as such with an “E” or a “C” on the bill next to the number of days in your billing cycle.
Any estimation settle-ups will be reflected on your next month's bill based on actual meter readings.
Why is my bill higher than it used to be?
There are several reasons why water/sewer bills may be higher.
1. Rate changes
On January 1, 2007, water and sewer rates changed. Rates are calculated from a combination of base and volume charges. The 2006 rates reflect incremental changes to these charges. Rates for city and county customers are projected to equalize in 2010. Our 2007 - 2011 Rates Schedule shows projected annual water and sewer rate changes through 2011.
Water Rates: For the majority of customers in the City of Roanoke (with 5/8-inch water meters), the base water rate increased from $3.50 to $4.00 (or 50 cents) a month and the volume rate increased from $2.42 to $2.54 (or 12 cents) per 1,000 gallons for usage up to 10,000 gallons. For the majority of customers in Roanoke County (with 5/8-inch water meters and using less than 10,000 gallons of water per month), the base water rate decreased from $5.70 to $5.60 (or 10 cents) a month. The volume rate was maintained at $2.90 per 1,000 gallons. Click here for 2007 water and sewer rates for all meter sizes for all Authority customers, as well as fire service rate changes.
Sewer Rates: For the majority of customers in the City, the base charge will increase to $4.50 (an increase of $1.50 per month) per 1,000 gallons; the volume rate for all customers in the City will increase to $2.85 (or a 15 cent increase) per 1,000 gallons. For all County customers, sewer volume rates increase from $2.10 to $2.45 (or 35 cents) per 1,000 gallons; sewer base rates will remain the same.
Sewer rate increases are necessary to pay for renovations currently underway at the Water Pollution Control Plant and to renovate the 900-mile sewer collection infrastructure in the Water Authority service area. Renovations will allow the plant to treat a much higher volume of wastewater and will reduce the potential for sewage overflows at the plant and throughout the wastewater collection system.
2. Estimated bill
If a bill is estimated too high or too low, your billed amount may be higher or lower than you anticipated. If your bill is estimated too high, the next month's bill based on an actual reading will be lower, or a credit may be issued. Conversely, if a bill estimates consumption too low, the next month's bill based on an actual reading may be higher to settle up the bill.
3. Increased consumption or water leaks
Bills may also be higher if water consumption increases. Overnight guests, additional clothes washing or landscape watering may account for higher water bills. Also, leaks inside the home or underground may account for higher bills. Several documents are available to help you learn more about water conservation, identifying leaks and reading your water meter.