Santa CruzHome costs

Santa Cruz water and sewer rates

At typical use (5 units, about 3,700 gallons a month), a Santa Cruz house pays about $99 a month for water and about $84 for sewer: about $2,200 a year. Estimated from public rates, not anyone's actual bill.

Who supplies water to Santa Cruz houses, what it costs, and how the sewer charge works.

Pay or manage it

City of Santa Cruz Water Department

City rate tables: a current monthly ready-to-serve charge by meter size and current per-CCF volumetric charges in three residential tiers; the rates proposed for January 1, 2027 have not been adopted

Use a monthPrice per unit (CCF, 748 gallons)
Fixed charge$19.13 a month
0 to 5 units$16.07
5 to 9 units$23.00
9 to more$29.98
Proposed rates
If approved by the City Council following a public hearing on November 17, 2026, the new rates would take effect January 1, 2027.
Funding
The Water Department is entirely funded by water rates, with no financial support from City taxes or the General Fund.
Ready-to-serve charge
Ready-to-serve charges are a fixed charge based on the size of your water meter.

Sewer

Single-family wastewater rate per dwelling unit scheduled for July 1, 2026 in the city's 2025 wastewater rate notice (Prop 218)

How Santa Cruz compares with nearby cities

Water, a month

  1. Watsonville · 15 mi$75
  2. Scotts Valley · 6 mi$92
  3. Santa Cruz$100
  4. Los Gatos · 18 mi$138
  5. Saratoga · 20 mi$138
  6. Campbell · 22 mi$138

Water only, at each city's typical use; sewer is left out because some cities bill it on the tax bill.

Dates

WhenWhat
Nov 17, 2026 (in 12 days)City Council public hearing on proposed water rates; if approved, new rates take effect January 1, 2027.

Sources

  1. Water proposed rates (Prop 218 notice, current rates)
  2. City water rates page
  3. Wastewater rate notice

Checked October 28, 2026. Every number here comes from the public sources listed, matched by our checker.

Rates change every year; this page shows when it was last checked. Nothing here is legal, tax or insurance advice.

Water bill in other California cities

San Rafael water billSan Ramon water billSanta Ana water billSanta Barbara water billSanta Clara water billSanta Clarita water billSanta Maria water billSanta Monica water billSanta Rosa water billSantee water billSaratoga water billScotts Valley water billAll California cities →