Utility Rates

Water Rates

Rates charged for water for residential, commercial, industrial and all other uses and purposes by any person, firm, or corporation within the City is based on monthly consumption in gallons.

Monthly Consumption
in Gallons
Charge per Gallon
First 22,440
0.00597
Next 89,7600.00490
Next 261,8000.00457
Next 374,0000.00403
Next 748,0000.00353

Minimum Monthly Charge

The minimum monthly charge according to the size of meter is as follows:

Meter Size
(inches)
Monthly Consumption
(in Gallons)
Minimum
Charge
5/81,496$8.93
3/43,740$22.33
15,984$35.72
1-1/219,448$116.10
234,408$192.61
379,288$412.52
4125,664$635.32
6275,264$1,318.99
8467,500$2,147.02


A $8.93 minimum monthly charge will be assessed for meters not in service.

A property owner shall pay a $50 disconnect fee for water service that is disconnected by city staff (meter not in service). When a tenant account is subject to disconnection due to delinquency, the tenant shall pay the $50 disconnect fee.

Water Meter for Outside Watering

In homes where only one meter is installed, water and sewer fees are charged on all water used. A water-only meter can be installed in addition to the main meter for watering gardens and lawns, filling pools, and other outside water use. The second meter measures water that does not end up in the sanitary sewer system and sewer charges are not billed on this meter. 

The current cost of a 5/8 inch water-only meter and equipment is $346. Customers who purchase the water-only metering equipment must have it installed by a licensed plumber. Contact your plumber for purchasing options. A plumbing permit is required. A minimum monthly charge for this additional meter applies. For questions or additional information, contact the Utility Billing Department at 563.589.4144 or utilityb@cityofdubuque.org.

Fire Protection Rates

Ordinance No. 12-23 effective for billings beginning July 1, 2023, establishes water rates for fire sprinkler service.

Number of Heads CurrentMonthly Charges
Up to 200 (minimum monthly charge)$27.41
200-299$32.91
300-399$38.32
400-599$43.86
600-799$49.29
800-999$54.81
1,000-1,199$60.31
1,200-1,399$65.73
1,400-1,599$71.22
1,600-1,799$76.71
1,800-1,999$82.14
2,000-2,199$87.64
2,200-2,399$93.13
2,400-2,599$98.61
2,600-2,799$104.09
2,800-2,999$109.71
3,000-3,499$115.03
Over 3,500 (for each additional 500 heads or fraction thereof)$5.46

Sewer Rates

Effective July 1, 2022, the rate per each gallon is $0.00838. Where the quantity of water consumed is such that the minimum water service is charged, the minimum of sewer service is charged as follows:

Meter Size (inches)Minimum ChargeAllowance (gallons)
5/8$12.541,496
3/4$31.343,740
1 or larger$50.155,984

Refuse Rates

Effective July 1, 2023, the refuse rate per month is $15.83 per single-family dwelling.

Stormwater Rates

Effective July 1, 2023, the stormwater rate is $10 per single-family unit.

  • Single-Family Unit (SFU) means the average impervious (non-absorbent) area of a single-family residential property located within the City.
  • One SFU = 2,917 square feet of impervious property.
  • Charges are computed on large residential and nonresidential property based on the number of SFU’s or square feet of impervious property.