NEW RATES EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2024

Watch a short video about the need to reinvest water infrastructure to respond to climate change. 

The Santa Cruz Water Department receives no revenue from tax dollars to provide water service. Our rates are based on the cost to collect and purify your drinking water supply and then deliver water to you. The revenue we collect is reinvested in the water system. 

Your monthly water bill payments ensure our ability to deliver safe, high-quality water in a manner that values our environment, community and economic interests, and sustains the resources entrusted to our care. 

Our costs to deliver the water service customers expect are rising and changing. We are not alone; utility costs are increasing across California. Just like any business, as costs rise, prices must rise to reflect the cost of providing the service.

• Our infrastructure is aging, and costs are rising to repair and replace dozens of miles of pipelines before major service disruptions occur. 
• Our costs are rising for energy, labor and materials to deliver millions of gallons of water to homes.

The water bill you pay is an investment in the community's water future, to ensure we can continue to provide you - and generations to come - with the high-quality water service you receive today. 

In Fall 2021, a new rate structure was approved by City Council. You can learn about the rate-making process through the resources below.

November 10, 2021 - 6:00pm - a virtual public meeting was held. Click on this link to view the recording:  Santa Cruz Proposed Water Rates Webinar - 111021.mp4 

Cost of Service and Rate Study