This annual report details the results of a statewide survey of water and wastewater rates and rate structures conducted by the North Carolina League of Municipalities and the Environmental Finance Center in 2012. Residential and non-residential drinking water and wastewater rates and rate structures are analyzed for 494 local government and non-governmental water and wastewater utilities throughout the State of North Carolina. The report is one of several products (including an interactive Rates Dashboard, data tables, and utility rate sheet summaries) created at the conclusion of the annual survey. All of the products can be viewed on the project page shown below.

This report answers frequently asked questions about what utilities are charging, their rate structure designs, billing practices, rate increases, affordability and cost recovery, including:

• Tools for Comparisons

• What is this study?
• How many and which utilities and types of rates are analyzed in this report?
• Where can I find tools and tables I can use to help me evaluate our rates?

• Current Rate Structure Designs

• What are the utilities' base charges?
• How much consumption is included in these base charges?
• What are the most common rate structure types in North Carolina?
• How do rate structures differ between commercial and residential customers?
• How do rate structures differ between indoor and irrigation/outdoor rates?
• For block rate structures, how much consumption is included in the first block?
• How much do utilities charge per 1,000 gallons near the average consumption level?
• What does the State recommend for residential rate structures? 

• Current Rates

• How much is charged for residential consumption?
• How much is charged for commercial consumption?
• How much is charged for residential irrigation water?
• How do rates differ based on utility size, utility type or river basin?
• How do rates differ for customers inside or outside municipal boundaries?

• How Rates Changed Last Year

• How often do utilities change their rates?
• How did residential rate structures change in the past year?
• By how much did utilities raise their residential rates last year?
• Did the price for high levels of consumption increase last year?

• Affordability

• What does the average North Carolinian pay for water and/or wastewater service?
• How affordable are utility rates in North Carolina?

• Financial Sustainability

• Do prices reflect the true cost of water services in North Carolina? 
• Are high rates always bad?