Fairfax water and sewer rates
Who supplies water to Fairfax houses, what it costs, and how the sewer charge works.
Fairfax Water
Fairfax Water rates effective April 1, 2026
| Use a month | Price per 1,000 gallons |
|---|---|
| Fixed charge | $6.73 a month |
| 0 to more | $5.00 |
- Source
- Fairfax Water draws raw water from the Potomac River and the Occoquan Reservoir.
- Lead
- In the latest lead monitoring (2023), the 90th percentile was 1.0 ppb and no sites were above the 15 ppb action level.
- Fluoride
- Fluoride in the finished water measured 0.6 ppm, below the 4 ppm limit.
Sewer
City of Fairfax sewer, billed by Fairfax Water: residential customers pay $72.45 a quarter for the first 5,000 gallons or less, then $13.85 per 1,000 gallons (City Code §102-31(b) as amended by ordinance 2026-05, effective July 1, 2026). For residential customers without sub meters, use above the minimum is billed on the lower of winter quarter use times 1.3 or actual use.
Other charges on the utility bill
- Wastewater lateral repair charge ($4.50 a quarter): $1.50 a month
Ways to pay less
- Lower your stormwater fee with credits. Owners can earn credits on the stormwater utility fee for a stormwater management facility in good condition, or for activities such as tree planting, a no-fertilizer pledge or Adopt-A-Stream cleanups. Every property is still charged at least one billing unit a year. How: Apply online, by email to stormwaterutility@fairfaxva.gov or with a hard copy at the Public Works office, by October 1 for the coming year's fee. Questions: (703) 385-2578.
- Sewer lateral repair or replacement reimbursement. City wastewater customers can get part of the cost back for repairing or replacing their sewer lateral: 25% up to $2,500 for a trenchless replacement on private property only, or 75% up to $5,500 when the whole lateral on private property and the right-of-way is replaced. How: Before work begins, get two contractor quotes with a camera inspection and submit the Wastewater Lateral Repair and Replacement Program application to Public Works.
- Leak adjustment on a high water bill. Fairfax Water offers a one-time courtesy adjustment for unusually high water charges caused by a leak, if you repair it promptly and have not had one in the previous five years. One quarterly billing period is adjusted, capped at $5,000. How: Send the Leak Adjustment Request Form with receipts or an invoice for the repair to Fairfax Water.
Dates
| When | What |
|---|---|
| Oct 1 | Stormwater utility credit applications are due to Public Works for the coming year's fee. |
Pay or manage it
- Pay your Fairfax Water bill (water and sewer) ↗
- Start water and sewer service (Fairfax Water) ↗
- Pay City of Fairfax real estate tax and stormwater fees ↗
Sources
- Fairfax Water: Rates (effective April 1, 2026)
- Fairfax Water: Sewer Charges (City of Fairfax section)
- Fairfax Water: About Your Bill
- Fairfax Connection: Fairfax Water to Supply City of Fairfax Residents (2014)
- Fairfax Water: 2026 Annual Water Quality Report (PDF)
- City of Fairfax: Wastewater Billing Services and Rates (archived copy)
- City of Fairfax: Stormwater Utility FAQs, December 2022 (archived PDF)
- City of Fairfax: Wastewater Repair Program (archived copy)
- City of Fairfax: Stormwater Utility (archived copy)
- Fairfax Water: Detecting Leaks and leak adjustments
- City of Fairfax: FY 2027 wastewater rate ordinance, City Council agenda item 3b, May 5, 2026
Checked October 21, 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.