Water Billing Rates and Administrative Fees

Water structure

Castle Rock has been using a tiered water rate structure for more than 20 years. In a tiered structure, the more water you use, the more you pay. Fees are progressively charged at a higher rate. Nationally, tiered structures have proven successful in encouraging conservation.

Water rates

The 2023 water rates (PDF) and administrative fees for all customer classes.
The previous year's water rates for all customer classes:

Water budgets

Each water account has an individualized water budget. The indoor water budget is based on your individual household's water consumption for the winter. The outdoor water budget is calculated based on the property's irrigated area and evapotranspiration (ET). It is recommended to stay within your water budget. However, you only pay for the amount of water you actually use. It's all part of Castle Rock's proactive measures to ensure there is water for our future.

If you have questions concerning the water budget rate structure, email us.

Water usage charges

Tier 1 (0 gallons to AWMC): AWMC is the amount of water available at the Tier 1 rate (see below).
Tier 2 (irrigation season rate): The amount of water available for seasonal purposes from April through October. This is calculated by using each customer's irrigated and plant material monthly water needs (evapotranspiration - ET).
Tier 3 (excessive use rate): The amount of water over your total water budget allocation.

Conservation surcharge: The water conservation measure adopted by Town Council assesses an additional charge to each 1,000 gallons used over 40,000 gallons by single-family residential customers.

Average Winter Monthly Consumption

The average winter monthly consumption (AWMC) shall be calculated for each customer by averaging the total potable water consumption used by the customer in the months of November though February in accordance with standard operating procedures maintained by Castle Rock Water. Annually effective of the April 1 billing statement, the AWMC for each utility customer shall be recalculated and adjusted accordingly. This represents the amount of water for indoor use (Tier 1) and the amount of wastewater treated each month. The AWMC is reset annually on your April statement. For new customers, until an individualized AWMC is established, an average for the customer class and the average AWMC of 4,000 gallons is assigned, which comes to approximately $35 per month.

Fixed charges

Fixed charges are organized separately from your water usage. These remain stable throughout the year and include services like providing water services, renewable water, stormwater and wastewater.

Water charge: The cost for providing the water service for distribution and treatment to each customer.
Renewable water resource charge: This charge has been part of Castle Rock residents' water bills since 2006. It goes toward securing renewable water for the Town's future, including acquisition and development of sustainable water resources.
Stormwater charge: Water from rainfall, snowfall and other urban runoff must be managed to prevent flooding and water quality issues.
Wastewater (AWMC) charge: These fees cover the proper conveyance and treatment of the used water flowing out of your home (down the drains, and when a toilet is flushed).

System development fees

Developers not only pay for the infrastructure of the water system in their residential or commercial development, but also for future water supply. View the current system development fees for more information.

How our rates compare

When we conduct our annual financial analysis for rates and fees, our proposed water rates are compared with other South Metro Water Supply Authority (SMWSA) water providers for a typical winter usage of 5,000 gallons and a typical summer usage of 15,000 gallons per month. Castle Rock Water's rates are mid-range compared to other water providers in the region. SMWSA members are each faced with similar water, growth and infrastructure challenges, and together, we are on our way to achieve a sustainable, balanced supply.

While we did compare the proposed rates and fees with other providers in Colorado, these may not be apples-to-apples comparisons. It is important to note that a number of the South Metro water providers have rates affected by tax mill levies. Where this information was available, Castle Rock Water has included the tax mill levy, based on median home price distributed equally over 12 months. Castle Rock Water does not get any funding from a tax mill levy. The rate comparisons are shown below.

Keep in mind that rates for all Colorado communities will fluctuate as they adapt their strategies for securing water for the future. New capital projects, infrastructure improvements and new sources of supply affect rates each year. For instance, Roxborough, though having one of the higher rates (given their mill levy), has recently transitioned from nonrenewable water to 100% renewable water, giving their community a more sustainable, long-term water supply.