Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The District is implementing a fixed rate billing structure that will replace the annual consumptive-based billing approach currently used for business customers only in the City of Ridgefield. Customers will be billed at the current District monthly rates using a base charge that represents the sewer demand and use for the business. The base charge is expressed in a unit of flow called an Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU), which equates to 200 gallons per day. The base charge is determined considering a business’s service characteristics and historic and estimated demand.

Fixed rate billing will begin in January 2026. The changes will be reflected on the bill customers will receive on or about February 3, 2026, which is for services in the month of January. This bill will be due February 28, 2026.

This more efficient process saves both the District and the City of Ridgefield time and ratepayer money. Other reasons to make the change are:

• This standardizes the approach across the District’s entire commercial customer base.
• This rate structure best fits the actual cost of service as the majority of District operating expenses are fixed costs and are not directly influenced by the amount of use of any one business(s).

Service charges that are billed to commercial customers in 2026 and in subsequent years will be calculated using the base charge (ERUs) assigned to their business and not on their water consumption during the previous year, as is currently the practice. The base charge doesn’t change from year to year unless there is a substantive change in your business, such as a facility expansion, a new tenant or a new business enterprise.

Fixed rate billing provides customers with a more stable and predictable bill. The base component of the service charges (ERUs) is unique to each customer, and it is fixed and doesn’t change each year with increases in consumption and use, as it currently does. Service charges will adjust with changes in the District’s monthly rates.

The impact of fixed rate billing will vary for each customer based on their unique service characteristics and consumption history. Customers are generally expected to have a base charge (ERUs) that is within 2-3% of their prior year’s consumption. Not all customers will have an increase in their bill as a result of this change alone.

Yes, the District will be making a necessary adjustment to its monthly rate in 2026 due to the rising costs of doing business. The total monthly rate for customers in the City of Ridgefield is forecasted to be $61.60/ERU, which is a modest 1.6% increase. While the base monthly rate increased by $1.50/mo, the System Integration Charge was reduced by $ 0.60/mo for a total increase of $ 0.90/mo. Rates are not final until the Board of Commissioners adopts the FY 2026 Budget.

Each customer will receive a letter in November explaining their base charge (ERU) and their estimated monthly service charges for 2026.

The District reviewed the service characteristics, consumption, and billing history for every commercial account. For most accounts, the base charge (ERU) was calculated by taking the average consumption over the 5 years from 2020-2024. The District also considered any unexpected variances in consumption (Hi/Low) to ensure the assigned base charge is reflective of normal business usage and growth.

For 2026, customers in the City of Ridgefield will be billed $61.60 per ERU. Final rates are subject to budget adoption by the Board of Commissioners.

• $ Service Charges = # ERU (Base Charge) x Monthly Rate ($/ERU)
• Example: 1.5 ERU x $61.60/ERU = $92.40/month service charges

Yes, the District will continue to bill commercial customers on the first work day of every month, with payment due on the last day of the month.

A new base charge (ERU) will be determined considering the estimated demand, service characteristics and type of business or tenant. Common values for different commercial business uses can be found in section 5.28.020 of the District Code.

Please contact customer service at 360-993-4001 or finance@crwwd.com. They are available to assist you and answer any questions you might have Monday through Friday during regular business hours (8:00 am – 5:00 pm).