Rates & Charges

Our business model is simple: charge rates that cover the cost of service. WaterOne is not a tax-supported utility. As a non-profit, public utility, rates and fees are used to cover the cost of operations and infrastructure. WaterOne sets its rates based on a cost of service analysis. The rates for the WaterOne service area are approved annually by the WaterOne Board after an extensive review of the costs underlying any rate proposal.

There are two components to WaterOne's rates:

• A consumption charge per 1,000 gallons
• A service charge to cover certain fixed costs

We're proud that our customers enjoy some of the lowest water rates in the area. See how our rates compare.

If you have questions about rates or service charges, contact Customer Service at 913-895-1800.

Water Rates

Consumption Charges

2026 Rates:

• Block 1: $5.57 per 1,000 gallons
• Block 2: $8.36 per 1,000 gallons

Block 1 rate is applied to usage up to and including 125% of the average winter consumption (AWC) used for billing. Block 2 rate is applied to all usage in excess of 125% of the AWC used for billing.

Average Winter Consumption (AWC) is a calculation used to establish a customer's baseline (Block 1) water use. Because there is very little, if any, outdoor watering done by customers during winter months, the AWC reflects the typical amount of water used within a residential household. 

A customer's AWC is their average daily usage based on meter readings from the two billing periods in January through April. Because WaterOne is on a bi-monthly billing cycle, this date range covers all of the water used by a customer throughout the winter months of November through April. The total water used is then divided by the number of days in both billing periods. 

The AWC is recalculated each year between January and April, and takes effect starting with the May bill. As a customer, you are given the benefit of whichever figure is more favorable to you:

• Your actual AWC
• The average AWCs within your customer class based on a 5-year rolling average (Single-family, regardless of meter size; Multi-family and Commercial, same meter size)

Peak Management Rates (PMR) (Block 1 & 2)

A major impact on the cost of service is peak usage. "Peak usage" means the largest amount of water the system is asked to provide all at once. Much like Interstate 35 is built to accommodate rush hour traffic, WaterOne's system is built to satisfy peak demand during the summer.

During a normal summer, water use can more than double due to outdoor watering. Under PMR, those customers who create peak demands because of their higher summer usage pay a higher rate on the additional water volume.

See how you can improve peak demand, potentially affecting future rates in a positive way by reducing wear-and-tear on the water system.

Service Charges

The service charge is based on meter size; water consumption is not a factor. Service charges pay for meter reading and billing, maintenance and replacement of meters and other components of the customer service installation, water reserved for fire suppression, and maintenance of fire hydrants and other related infrastructure.

• Meter reading and billing: Includes transportation and equipment, forms, office processing staff, reports, postage and supplies
• Meter maintenance and replacement: Includes the meter, meter setter and pit, and generally the service line from the main to the customer's property line. Learn about the homeowner's responsibility
• Fire protection: Includes maintenance of WaterOne's thousands of fire hydrants, as well as larger-sized pumps, reservoirs and water mains to ensure that capacity for fire protection is available in addition to the capacity needed for regular water use demands

2026 Service Charges 

• Temporary Commercial (1 Month): $47.90 regardless of meter size