Detroit water bills: DWSD 2026-2027 rates and fees start July 1, 2026
Detroit’s DWSD retail water/sewer/drainage rates and several customer fees change July 1, 2026. Here are the bill line items (and tiers) to check.
Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) retail charges for water, sewer, and drainage change for the 2026–2027 billing year, with the updated rate schedule and customer fees effective on and after July 1, 2026. The rate notice also explains key terms residents see on bills—like how meter size and “CCF” usage tiers work.
What changes on Detroit DWSD bills starting July 1
1) Water volume charges: two usage tiers (CCF)
DWSD’s customer notice lists two water volume tiers measured in CCF (centum cubic feet), and defines 1 CCF = 748 gallons. The notice shows:
- Tier 1: less than or equal to 6 CCF
- Tier 2: greater than 6 CCF
2) Monthly meter charges (meter size matters)
Beyond usage, the notice includes a monthly meter charge that varies by meter size. It lists meter sizes from 5/8” up through 16”, with different monthly charges for each size.
3) Sewer charges: a per-CCF disposal rate plus a per-bill service charge
On the sewer side, the notice includes:
- Detroit Disposal Rate (per CCF) (a charge tied to water usage for the billing period)
- Sewerage Service Charge (per bill)
4) Drainage charges: monthly charge per impervious acreage
The notice lists a drainage charge per month based on impervious acreage.
It also describes how the residential “green credit” reduces the drainage charge: residents can receive 25% off the drainage charge when downspouts are redirected to run onto a lawn instead of directly into the sewer (and the notice points residents to city guidance).
5) Customer fees: line items that apply based on fireline and certain meter setups
In addition to the standard meter charges, the customer notice lists fee schedules that can matter for some accounts:
- Private fireline charges (per month): listed by fireline size including 4” or smaller, 6”, 8”, 10”, and 12”.
- Industrial Waste Control meter charges (per month): listed by meter size including 5/8”, 3/4”, 1”, 1.5”, 2”, 3”, 4”, 6”, 8”, 10”, 12”, 14”, and 16”.
How to estimate your July 2026 bill impact
- Check your CCF usage (on your most recent bill) and see whether it’s at or below 6 CCF (Tier 1) or above it (Tier 2).
- Confirm your meter size and match it to the monthly meter charge schedule.
- Don’t ignore non-usage lines: the notice includes per-bill sewer charges and monthly drainage charges.
- If you’re an eligible residential account, the notice also explains sewage billing using an Average Winter Consumption (AWC) method based on January–April usage from the last 2 years.
What the Board approved (and the approval dates)
The DWSD Board of Water Commissioners approved the retail rates and fees through Legistar File #2026-66, with:
- Finance Committee agenda: March 12, 2026
- Final action: March 24, 2026
- Board status: Approved
The Legistar resolution describes the schedule as consistent with FY 2026–2027 revenue requirements and system budgets approved by the Board on March 18, 2026.
Affordability context: federal LIHWAP proposal would target low-income water help
Separate from Detroit’s locally set rates, WEMU reported that U.S. Reps. Debbie Dingell and Rashida Tlaib introduced federal legislation on June 17, 2026 calling for $500 million to the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)—to help low-income families pay water and wastewater bills and prevent shutoffs. As reported, that would be a proposal, not something residents should treat as enacted yet.
What to do now
- Look up the official notice: the Detroit customer notice for “Water and Sewer Rates 2026–2027” lists the exact tier thresholds, meter-size monthly charges, sewer/disposal and service charges, drainage charge setup, and applicable fee schedules.
- Compare your usage + meter size: your estimate should reflect both tiered CCF charges and the monthly meter-size charges that can apply regardless of usage.
- If affordability is tight: monitor federal LIHWAP movement as the proposal progresses, and consider reaching out to DWSD customer service for options if you’re having trouble keeping up.
Sources
- City of Detroit — Water and Sewer Rates 2026–2027 (customer notice PDF)
- DWSD Legistar — Legislation Details (File #2026-66)
- WEMU (89.1) — Federal LIHWAP proposal coverage (June 17, 2026)
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