Metro Main and Metro Hub have the same rate structure. The average monthly usage for residential customers based on a 12-month period is 7,548 gallons.
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. The Metro Hub service area is located in Tucson’s northeast area, generally east of Sabino Canyon Road between the Tanque Verde Creek and Snyder Road.
Fiscal Year 2024 Rate Schedule for Metro Main and Hub Rates & Fees Effective July 1, 2023
Water Availability Rate
| Meter Size | Water Availability Rate |
| 5/8 inch* | $33.05 |
| ¾ inch | $48.58 |
| 1 inch | $82.63 |
| 1½ inch | $165.25 |
| 2 inch | $264.40 |
| 3 inch | $528.80 |
| 4 inch | $826.25 |
| 6 inch | $1652.50 |
Water Consumption Charges for 5/8″ Meter
| 1st Tier (3,001 – 8,000 gallons) | $3.25 per 1,000 gallons |
| 2nd Tier (8,001 – 16,000 gallons) | $5.10 per 1,000 gallons |
| 3rd Tier (16,001 – 24,000 gallons) | $6.60 per 1,000 gallons |
| 4th Tier (24,001 gallons and above) | $7.65 per 1,000 gallons |
The Board of Directors approved the current rate structure in May 2023. 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, 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.
Before 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: Customer deposits vary. Deposit amounts may be increased for each category at the discretion of staff based on the payment history of either the owner or the 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 – $11.02 monthly (1/3 of Water Availability Rate)
Meter Testing – $150 for 5/8” to 1”, $205 for 1½” to 2”, $1,200 for greater than 2”
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.
$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).
$100 credit is given to a customer who reports that such an event has happened.
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
Water Availability Rate (base rate) is the same as listed above.
| Per 1,000 gallons used | $4.95 |
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
$0.75 per 1,000 gallons
Water Resources Utilization Fee (WRUF) provides funds to develop, design, and construct projects that will utilize the District’s Central Arizona Project (CAP) water and effluent. The WRUF has funded the land acquisition and design activities for the Northwest Recharge, Recovery, and Delivery System (NWRRDS), wheeling agreements to deliver CAP water to Metro Southwest, and various smaller activities to enhance the use of the District’s renewable water resource portfolio.