Sewer billing
Each municipality sets its sewer use rates. Municipalities include: Bellevue, Bennington, Gretna, La Vista, Omaha (including the unincorporated portion of Douglas County), Ralston and Sarpy County.
Metropolitan Utilities District is the billing agent that invoices and collects sewer use fees and provides them back to the municipalities. The combined bill eliminates duplication, resulting in a cost savings to both sewer users and M.U.D. ratepayers. Residential sewer rates are the total of two charges:
- Customer Charge (fixed monthly fee)
- Flow Charge (varies with usage)
The monthly sewer use fee during the winter season is based on the actual amount of water used. The winter season will encompass four billing cycles, starting with the M.U.D. December billing schedule and ending with the March billing schedule. The four winter billing cycles are averaged to determine a base monthly usage level to be used during the non-winter period when calculating your sewer fees. In some instances, the base monthly usage level may be reviewed and adjusted as appropriate.
During the non-winter period, from April's billing schedule through November's billing schedule, the sewer use fee is calculated by using either 1) the actual water use during that specific billing cycle, or 2) the base monthly usage level (the average of the four winter billing cycles), WHICHEVER IS LESS. Remember, your water use in the winter can impact your bills throughout the year.
Understanding the Budget Plan
Though seasonal temperatures vary, your gas and water bill remains the same every month with the Budget Plan. Your household’s annual gas and water use is spread evenly over 12 months. Your budget payment is based on your annual use divided across a 12-month period. This figure is adjusted for average temperatures to project normal gas and/or water use and any anticipated rate change.
To learn more about the plan, including how to enroll, visit the Budget Plan page.
Units of measure
Gas: Gas is measured by volume, generally as hundreds of cubic feet (CCF,therms/th) or thousands of cubic feet (MCF,decatherms/dth). The unit of measure for gas metering and billing is either CCF or MCF. The volume of gas measured is adjusted for 'heat value' and 'pressure factor' to derive the amount of energy used.
Heat Value: Gas contains varying amounts of energy. The heat value converts the volume of gas to an energy value.
- 1 CCF = 100 cubic feet = approx. 1 therm = 100,000 BTU’s energy
- 1 MCF = 1,000 cubic feet = approx. 10 therms or 1 decatherm = 1,000,000 BTU’s energy
- EXAMPLE: 15 CCF X 1.030 (heat value) X 1.0998 pressure factor = 16.992 therms
Water: Water is measured by volume, generally in hundreds of cubic feet (CCF). The unit of measure for water metering and billing is CCF.
- 1 CCF = 100 cubic feet = 748 gallons
- 1 MGAL = 1,000 gallons = 1.3 CCF
Good to know
- The service charge covers costs for administration, such as meter reading, billing and collections. These are costs the District incurs by having the customer on-line, even if no gas or water is used by the customer.
- The gas infrastructure replacement charge to replace older cast iron gas mains in conjunction with the city’s combined sewer overflow project.
- The water infrastructure replacement charge to replace older cast iron water mains in conjunction with the city’s combined sewer overflow project.
- The Heat Aid Fund helps individuals over age 60, individuals with disabilities or those in crisis situations pay their utility bills. Donations are tax deductible.
- For bills with trash fees included, contact your local city for questions about fees.
