Your water bill supports critical infrastructure.

We do not profit from rate increases.

We ask for the amount needed to cover the cost of services we provide.

Below:

New rate information effective September 2025

Photo:

New water transmission mains improve water services to homes, communities, and businesses.

Your water bill supports critical infrastructure.

We do not profit from rate increases.

We ask for the amount needed to cover the cost of services we provide.

Below:

New rate information effective September 2025

Photo:

New water transmission mains improve water services to homes, communities, and businesses.

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For Translation: call (215) 685-6300

Rate Changes Effective September 2025

On September 1st, 2025, a monthly water bill for a typical residential customer is increasing by 9.4%.

Effective DateTypical Monthly Bill Total1
September 1, 2024$81.77
September 1, 2025$89.42

1. We measure usage in cubic feet (cf). You are billed for every 100 cubic feet (or 1 “ccf”) of water used. A typical customer uses 430 cubic feet of water a month and has a 5/8″ meter.

Between FY 2020 and FY 2025, PWD has applied for over $1 billion in federal and state assistance.
  • To date, PWD has been awarded approximately $951 million in funding via low-interest loans
  • $120.4 million in grant applications have been awarded
  • $13.7 million in grant applications are still pending and in progress
  • $150 million in additional low-interest loan applications are in progress

We have aggressively pursued federal funding and to date we have submitted applications for over a billion dollars of federal funding and have received approximately 550 million dollars in low interest loans which supports our capital programs over a long period of time. That is money that will be spent over many years.* As of August 2025

A PWD work crew wearing orange t-shirts, yellow safety vests, blue jeans, work boots, gloves, and white hardhats working on a sewer lining project in a closed-off Center City street at night.

Our duty is to provide essential water services 24/7.

Sewer lining allows crews to strengthen existing sewers with less disruption to the community.

Our Essential Services

a donut-shaped diagram divided into three sections: Drinking Water (Treatment and delivery), Wastewater (collection and treatment), and Stormwater (storage and management). In the center is a circle that says "Protecting our Waters"

A typical residential bill

A typical bill is based on a customer who uses 430 cubic feet of water (3,366 gallons) per month and has a 5/8″ water meter. A typical senior citizen uses 300 cubic feet of water per month, and eligible seniors may receive a 25 percent discount on their bill. Differences in water usage will result in higher or lower charges.

Usage ChargesTypical Residential
Since Sept. 1, 2024Effective Sept. 1, 2025
Water Usage:
Usage × $(Water Charge + TAP surcharge) / 1,000 cf =		430cf × $(64.32 + 3.08) / 1,000 cf =
$28.98		430cf × $(71.22 + 3.59) / 1,000 cf =
$32.17
Sewer Usage:
Usage × $(Sewer Charge + TAP surcharge) / 1,000 cf =		430cf × $(41.11 + 4.40) / 1,000 cf =
$19.57		430cf × $(46.55 + 5.07) / 1,000 cf =
$22.20
Service Charge for 5/8″ meter
(See Service Charge table for allocation between water and sewer)		$12.81$14.01
Stormwater Charge$20.41$21.04
Total Monthly Bill$81.77$89.42
(Includes Usage, Service & Stormwater Charges and TAP-R Surcharge)
Usage ChargesTypical Senior Citizen
Since Sept. 1, 2024Effective Sept. 1, 2025
Water Usage:
Usage × $(Water Charge + TAP surcharge) / 1,000 cf =		300cf × $(64.32 + 3.08) / 1,000 cf =
$20.22		300cf × $(71.22 + 3.59) / 1,000 cf =
$22.44
Sewer Usage:
Usage × $(Sewer Charge + TAP surcharge) / 1,000 cf =		300cf × $(41.11 + 4.40) / 1,000 cf =
$13.65		300cf × $(46.55 + 5.07) / 1,000 cf =
$15.49
Service Charge for 5/8″ meter
(See Service Charge table for allocation between water and sewer)		$12.81$14.01
Stormwater Charge$20.41$21.04
Total Monthly Bill($67.09 – $16.77 discount) $50.32($72.98 – $18.25 discount) $54.73
(Includes Usage, Service & Stormwater Charges and TAP-R Surcharge)
What are TAP Rider surcharges?

“TAP” refers to our Tiered Assistance Program.

The number of customers enrolled and their level of need affect the cost of the program. These costs impact water rates.

What are these other charges?

Service Charges are the monthly fee to have water and sewer services at your property, and are based on the size of your service line.

Check the Service Charge table below for different sizes, and the allocation between water and sewer.

The Stormwater Charge recovers our costs to manage stormwater runoff throughout the city, and is the same for all residential customers.

Non-residential customers can learn more about their stormwater charge on our Stormwater Billing page.

Detailed rates for different usage amounts and meter sizes

Usage: Quantity Charges
Monthly Water UsageWater Usage Charge per MCF
Since Sept. 1, 2024Effective Sept. 1, 2025
First 2 Mcf$64.32$71.22
Next 98 Mcf$57.88$63.61
Next 1900 Mcf$44.84$49.38
Over 2000 Mcf$43.62$48.03
Monthly Water UsageSewer Usage Charge per MCF
Since Sept. 1, 2024Effective Sept. 1, 2025
All Billable Water Usage$41.11$46.55
Usage: TAP Rider (TAP-R) Surcharge Rates
TAP-R Surcharge per Mcf*Since Sept. 1, 2024Effective Sept. 1, 2025
Water TAP-R Surcharge per Mcf*$3.08$3.59
Sewer TAP-R Surcharge per Mcf*$4.40$5.07
* TAP-R Surcharge Rates are added to the Quantity Charge rates. Water TAP-R Surcharge Rate is added to each block rate.
Service: Monthly Charges
Meter Size (inches)Meter CodeService ChargesSince Sept. 1, 2024Effective Sept. 1, 2025
5/8RWater$5.17$5.96
Sewer$7.64$8.05
Combined*$12.81$14.01
3/4ZWater$5.70 $6.93
Sewer$9.79$10.31
Combined*$15.49$17.24
1QWater$7.17$9.28
Sewer$14.43$15.18
Combined*$21.62 $24.46
1-1/2PWater$10.29$14.53
Sewer$25.53$26.82
Combined*$35.82$41.35
2XWater$14.75$21.55
Sewer$39.44$41.42
Combined*$54.19$62.97
3OWater$24.33$37.16
Sewer$71.26 $74.78
Combined*$95.59 $111.94
4WWater$43.28$64.60
Sewer$120.98$127.01
Combined*$164.26$191.61
6NWater$82.46$125.19
Sewer$238.64$250.47
Combined*$321.10$375.66
8VWater$127.03$195.19
Sewer$377.82$396.50
Combined*$504.85$591.99
10EWater$185.16$283.52
Sewer$545.20$572.18
Combined*$730.36$855.70
12TWater$313.27$497.73
Sewer$992.49$1,041.23
Combined*$1,305.76$1,538.96
* Does not include Stormwater Charges
Service: Information for homes with residential fire sprinkler systems
Meter Size (inches)Meter CodeService ChargesSince Sept. 1, 2024Effective Sept. 1, 2025
3/4ZWater$9.27$12.12
Sewer$7.64$8.05
Combined$16.91$20.17
1QWater$10.76$14.47
Sewer$7.64$8.05
Combined$18.40$22.52
1-1/2PWater$13.86$19.72
Sewer$7.64$8.05
Combined$21.50$27.77
2XWater$18.32$34.79
Sewer$7.64$8.05
Combined$25.96$34.79
Wastewater Surcharges
Surcharge applies per pound in excess ofSince Sept. 1, 2024Effective Sept. 1, 2025
Biochemical Oxygen Demand250 mg/l$0.450$0.504
Suspended Solids350 mg/l$0.458$0.523
mg/l = milligrams per liter

Let us help with your bill.

You could qualify for Debt Forgiveness!

To help our customers maintain water service, reduce water bill debt, and apply for lower water bills, we offer our Tiered Assistance Program (TAP). You may qualify based on income or special hardships (like high medical bills or the loss of a job). Seniors may also qualify for discounts.

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City of Philadelphia Water Department

Quality and safety are our top priorities.

Photos: Veracity Studios, and Sahar Coston Hardy © PWD