South GateWhat a house pays

South Gate water and sewer rates

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

City of South Gate Water

City of South Gate water, billed monthly: a minimum base charge of $26.04 for 4 CCF or less, then $5.98 per 100 cubic feet above 4 CCF for residential use (FY 2026-27 Master Fee Schedule, effective August 9, 2026).

Use a monthPrice per unit (CCF, 748 gallons)
Fixed charge$26.04 a month
0 to 4 units$0.00
4 to more$5.98
Source
The City's tap water comes from local deep groundwater wells.
Hardness
Total hardness averaged 238.2 ppm (range 204–279) in 2025 testing.
PFAS
In 2025 testing PFOS averaged 16.2 ppt (range ND–30) and PFOA 7.1 ppt (range ND–12); the report lists a notification level of 4.0 ppt for each.
Lead
In 2024 tap sampling the lead 90th-percentile result was not detected, with 0 of 30 sites above the action level.

Golden State Water (Hollydale system)

Golden State Water Company, Metropolitan District residential rates (Schedule ME-1-R, effective January 1, 2026; its territory includes portions of South Gate): a monthly service charge by meter size plus three tiers per 100 cubic feet, a $0.242 per Ccf CAP surcharge, and a 0.7% surcharge on all bills. Other per-Ccf balancing-account charges printed in the schedule are not included here.

Use a monthPrice per unit (CCF, 748 gallons)
Fixed charge$38.07 a month
0 to 9 units$5.94
9 to 21 units$6.79
21 to more$7.78
Source
Hollydale System water is treated groundwater pumped from the Central Groundwater Basin.
Hardness
Hardness averaged 270 mg/L (15.8 grains per gallon) in 2024 testing, with a range of 217-323 mg/L.
Lead
In 2025 tap sampling the lead 90th-percentile result was not detected; none of the 20 samples exceeded the action level. GSWC found no lead or galvanized service lines needing replacement.

Sewer

City of South Gate sewer service charge on the monthly water/utility bill: for single-family homes, $3.99 fixed plus $0.40 per 100 cubic feet of water for 2026-27.

Other charges on the utility bill

  • Street sweeping (single-family home): $2.58 a month

Ways to pay less

  • Low-income seniors over 62: Safe, Clean Water parcel tax exemption. Owners over 62 who live in the home and head a low-income household can apply for an exemption from the Safe, Clean Water Program special parcel tax; the FY 2027-28 limit is $106,600 for a 2-person household. How: Submit the claim form to the Safe, Clean Water Program by May 1 each year; call 833-275-7297.
  • Low water use: reduced sewer charge. Parcels with significantly lower water usage may be eligible for a reduced rate under the Master Service Charge Ordinance of County Sanitation District No. 1. How: See the reduced-rate terms of County Sanitation District No. 1's Master Service Charge Ordinance.
  • Water conservation rebates. The City points residents to bewaterwise.com for water conservation rebates. How: Visit bewaterwise.com.

Pay or manage it

Sources

  1. City of South Gate: water and other utilities
  2. Golden State Water Schedule ME-1-R, Metropolitan District residential metered service
  3. Golden State Water: Central Basin West service area
  4. City of South Gate agenda bill: sewer rate increase public hearing, Jan. 23, 2024
  5. Golden State Water Schedule UF
  6. Golden State Water Hollydale System 2025 Consumer Confidence Report
  7. Metropolitan Water District Resolution 9397 (FY 2026/27 tax rate)
  8. LA County Safe Clean Water tax layer: median South Gate single-family tax
  9. LA County Public Works Safe Clean Water tax layer description
  10. Safe, Clean Water Program: FY 2027-28 low-income senior exemption form
  11. Safe, Clean Water Program: tax appeal procedures and guidelines
  12. Metropolitan Water District FY 2026/27 water standby charge resolution
  13. City of South Gate: water conservation program

Checked October 22, 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.