Since 2005, the EFC and the North Carolina League of Municipalities annually surveyed all local governments and the largest investor-owned and non-profit water and wastewater utilities in the state of North Carolina. Utilities are invited to provide their current water and wastewater rates. The EFC compiles the rates data with information on utilities’ Enterprise Fund key financial performance indictors, system characteristics, community socioeconomics, and other data. The North Carolina DEQ’s Division of Water Infrastructure funds this work to provide utilities across the state with the most comprehensive resources that can be used for benchmarking, rate-setting, financial decision-making, and communication. The information is compiled annually in the NC Water and Wastewater Rates Dashboard, downloadable spreadsheets, and a summary report.
Surveys included rates data in 2005 (283 utilities), 2006 (333), 2007 (370), 2008 (443), 2009 (498), 2010 (493), 2011 (494), 2012 (494), 2013 (507), 2014 (372), 2015 (496), 2016 (418), 2017 (442), 2018 (495), 2019 (502), 2020 (495), and 2021 (495).
Report on Rates Across the State
Water and wastewater rate setting is one of local government’s most important environmental and public health responsibilities. This report aims to provide utility professionals and public officials with an up-to-date summary of current statewide rate structures and trends, and thus assist in the protection of public health, improvement of economic development, and promotion of sustainability in North Carolina. This report answers frequently asked questions about what utilities are charging, rate structure designs, increases to rates, affordability, and more. The report is updated every year in early Spring. The latest version, summarizing water and wastewater rates in January 2021, includes rates information from 495 out of 517 rate-charging utilities in North Carolina, representing all 100 counties in the state. All reports are in PDF format.
Current report: 2021
Previous years’ reports: 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005
Tables of Rates Data
Spreadsheets of data are available to download. The data tables list each utility’s residential and non-residential water, wastewater, and residential irrigation rate structure details, inside and outside town limits, as well as the monthly-equivalent bills computed at different consumption levels. All rates data displayed on the NC Water and Wastewater Rates Dashboard are available in these downloadable Microsoft Excel files.
Current rates tables: 2021
Previous years’ rates tables: 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005
View a Utility’s Rate Sheet
To view a utility’s rate sheet for rates effective on January 1, 2021, view the NC Utility Rate Sheet interactive display and select the utility at the top. Please email efc@sog.unc.edu if the information displayed is incorrect.
Dashboard
View the interactive NC Water and Wastewater Rates Dashboard.
Download Full Report for North Carolina Water And Wastewater Rates Information Download Spreadsheet View The DashboardAccessibility Statement
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill believes everyone in our community deserves equal access to information. North Carolina Water And Wastewater Rates Information is available to provide data to make decisions for public policy. We are committed to creating an inclusive digital experience. If you are unable to access this information, please contact the Environmental Finance Center for more options.
