The Metro Main service area covers a 23 square mile area in the northwest metropolitan Tucson area between Lambert Lane to the north and River Road to the south, with Thornydale Road to the west and First Avenue and Oracle Road to the east.
Fiscal Year 2023 Rate Schedule for Metro Main and Hub Rates & Fees Effective July 1, 2022
Water Availability Rate
| Meter Size | Water Availability Rate |
| 5/8 inch* | $31.35 |
| ¾ inch | $47.03 |
| 1 inch | $78.38 |
| 1½ inch | $156.75 |
| 2 inch | $250.80 |
| 3 inch | $501.60 |
| 4 inch | $783.75 |
| 6 inch | $1,567.50 |
Meter capacities from the AWWA Manual of Water Supply Practices – M1, Seventh Edition, “Principles of Water Rates, Fees, and Charges, American Water Works Association 2017, page 338, Table VII.2.5 Meter equivalencies based on meter capacity.
Water Consumption Charges
| 1st Tier (3,001 – 8,000 gallons) | $3.05 per 1,000 gallons |
| 2nd Tier (8,001 – 16,000 gallons) | $4.80 per 1,000 gallons |
| 3rd Tier (16,001 – 24,000 gallons) | $6.35 per 1,000 gallons |
| 4th Tier (24,001 gallons and above) | $7.40 per 1,000 gallons |
Metro Main and Metro Hub have the same rate structure. The average monthly usage for residential customers based on a 12-month period is 8,000 gallons.
The Board of Directors approved the current rate structure in May 2021. The objective was to cover fixed costs with fixed revenue and variable costs with consumption revenue by restructuring the rate schedule with minimal impact on the average customer. Fixed costs can be defined as expenditures that are incurred regardless of the amount of water used. Variable costs are expenditures more closely tied to the amount of water pumped and delivered.
With the decline in water usage appearing to continue into the future, the Board of Directors has supported the concept of having the Water Availability Rate (base rate) capture a larger portion of the District’s fixed costs. This helps to stabilize the revenue and eradicate the need to chase after a declining variable revenue source, providing increased financial and rate stability.
Prior to the 2015 rate adjustment, the Water Availability Rate covered 69% of the District’s fixed costs. The 2015 rate structure raised the District’s revenue stability to 83%. The 2016 rate adjustment included the first 3,000 gallons within the Water Availability Rate and brought the District up to 90% revenue stability.
Service Charges & Fees
Customer Deposits: Deposits vary and amounts may be increased for each category at the discretion of staff based on poor payment history of the owner or previous tenant.
$132 for residential homeowners
$200 for Renters
$1,500 for Multi-Family, Bulk Meters, and Commercial accounts
Initial Connection Fee – $30.00
Regular Re-connection – $40.00
After Hours Re-connection – $75.00
Returned Payment – up to $40.00
Meter Re-read – $20.00
Residential Dual Meter Fee – $10.45 monthly (1/3 of Water Availability Rate)
Meter Testing – 5/8″ to 1.5″ is $150; 2″ and greater is $325
Delinquent Accounts – 2% or $5.00, whichever is greater
Illegal or Unauthorized Use of Water – The District has a fee for illegal or unauthorized use of water. This involves a contractor taking water from a hydrant without permission. $100 credit is given to a customer who reports that such an event has happened.
$500 for 1st offense, $1,000 for 2nd offense, and $1,500 for 3rd and successive offenses (plus the cost of water used and property damage).
The District also has a bulk water rate for contractors and others that need to use water for construction and other purposes.
Development Fees
Development fees are dependent upon whether you need water service, are developing property, or have a project that involves water improvement plans. The District has development fees associated with master water plan review, water improvement plan review, inspection (including infrastructure inspection and backflow inspection), protected facilities (including fire flow impact fees, where applicable), and water connection on domestic or irrigation meters.
See our Development Fees page for more information.
Bulk Water Charges
Base Rate is the same as the base rates listed above
| Per 1,000 gallons used | $4.80 |
Infrastructure Rehabilitation Fee
| Meter Size | Fee |
| 5/8 inch | $1.50 |
| ¾ inch | $2.25 |
| 1 inch | $3.75 |
| 1½ inch | $7.50 |
| 2 inch | $12.00 |
| 3 inch | $24.00 |
| 4 inch | $37.50 |
| 6 inch | $75.00 |
Water Resources Utilization Fee for All Service Areas
$0.60 per 1,000 gallons
In October 2012, the Board established a Water Resource Utilization Fee at 10 cents per 1,000 gallons, which became effective March 1, 2013 and applies to all Metro service areas. In October 2013, the Board raised this fee to 20 cents per 1,000 gallons. In September 2014, the Board raised the fee to 40 cents per 1,000 gallons. In May 2016, the Board raised the fee to 50 cents per 1,000 gallons. In May 2018, Board raised the fee to 60 cents per 1,000 gallons.
This fee provides funds to develop, design, and construct projects that will put to use the District’s CAP water and effluent. Specifically, the Water Resources Utilization Fee helps fund the land acquisition and design activities for the CAP Recharge, Recovery and Delivery System, the CMID Recycled Water Project, and the 2016 wheeling agreement to deliver CAP water to Metro Southwest. By using this Fee, the District avoids adding additional debt and reduces the financial impact of these initiatives.