Utility Billing Information

Updated: Jan. 15, 2010

New Utility Bill Format Beginning in January 2010 (361 KB)

The utility bill format has been redesigned to be easier to read and provide more information about utility charges. Along with the new bill format, customers have been assigned a new account number.

If you pay your utility bill online through your bank, you will need to change your account number in order for the payment to be processed and properly credited to your account. Find the location of the new account number on your bill.

Payment Options
Residential accounts are billed quarterly. Residents with storm sewer only are billed annually in July. Several payment options are available including:

1. By mail. Send payment to: City of Woodbury, Attn. Utility Billing, 8301 Valley Creek Road, Woodbury, MN 55125.
2. Drop off. Residents who prefer to drop off their payment in person have the following options:
• Use the metal drop box (next to the U.S. mailbox) in front of City Hall, 8301 Valley Creek Road
• Use the drop box in the lobby of City Hall
3. Automatic pay plan. Utility customers can have their payments directly deducted from their checking or savings account through the city's optional Automatic Pay Plan.

To sign up for the Automatic Pay Plan, complete and return to the city the Automatic Pay Plan authorization form. You must attach a voided check (not a deposit slip) for checking account, or a savings account deposit slip for savings account.

If the city receives the authorization form at least 30 days before your next bill is scheduled to be mailed, the Automatic Pay Plan will begin with your next bill. If not, you will receive a regular bill that you must pay as usual. You will know you are signed up when your bill arrives and says: “Do not pay – Automatic Payment Plan" on (due date).

Customers who sign up for the Automatic Pay Plan may cancel it at any time by completing the Automatic Pay Cancellation Form. If you have questions about this optional service, call (651) 714-3508.

Residential Rates

Water
Rates include a minimum charge of $10.40 per quarter for the first 8,000 gallons used. In addition:

• 8,001 to 30,000 gallons is charged at 88 cents per 1,000 gallons
• 30,001 to 60,000 gallons is charged at $1.88 per 1,000 gallons
• 60,001 to 90,000 gallons is charged at $2.88 per 1,000 gallons
• 90,001 to 150,000 gallons is charged at $3.88 per 1,000 gallons
• More than 150,000 gallons is charged at $4.88 per 1,000 gallons

Sanitary Sewer
The city bills for sanitary sewer based on the winter quarter water consumption because this should be the lowest quarter of use. The city bills one-third of its residents each month; winter quarter is not the same three-month period for everyone.

Rates include a minimum charge of $40.29 for the first 8,000 gallons and $2.47 per 1,000 gallons over 8,000.

New residents are charged for an average winter quarter water consumption, which is currently 17,000 gallons and $62.52 per quarter, until they establish their own winter quarter history.

More than 69 percent of the operational budget for sanitary sewer service is for payment of fees to the Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (MCES) which is responsible for sanitary sewer treatment in the seven county metro area. The city has no control over the budget or the rates established by the MCES.

Storm Sewer
This fee was established for the planning and maintenance of storm water holding ponds, ditches and various storm water runoff projects, as well as the administration of the city's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System MS4 permit program. Currently, the rates are:

• $17.30 per quarter for all single-family homes/duplexes/twinhomes
• $13.84 per quarter for all townhomes (more than two units) and condos

Rates for other land uses, such as commercial and industrial, are calculated based on the site's actual impervious area.

Street Lights
Rates charged by Xcel Energy are passed on to residents. Xcel Energy installs, owns and is responsible for maintenance of the lights. Since not all developments have street lights, the cost is not included in the property tax levy, but is charged to those residential developments with lights. The rates are based on fees charged by Xcel Energy and the depreciation expense on the lights.

Minnesota Test Fee
This fee was established by the State of Minnesota and is collected for each connection to a municipal water utility. The state uses the funds to monitor and test drinking water quality. The fee is $1.59 per quarter.

Commercial Rates
Commercial accounts are billed monthly.

Water
Rates include a minimum charge of $4.22 per month for the first 3,000 gallons used and $.88 per 1,000 gallons for anything over 3,000 gallons.

Sanitary Sewer
Rates include a minimum charge of $15.12 per month for the first 3,000 gallons used and $2.47 per 1,000 gallons for anything over 3,000 gallons.

Storm Sewer
The rate for commercial properties is determined by multiplying the residential monthly equivalent fee ($5.79) by the commercial property's impervious area as determined by the site plan.

Minnesota Test Fee
This fee was established by the State of Minnesota and is collected for each connection to a municipal water utility. The state uses the funds to monitor and test drinking water quality. The fee is $0.53 per month.

Irrigation Rates

Commercial Irrigation
Commercial irrigation customers are billed monthly. The rates are:

• $3.67 for the first 3,000 gallons
• $2.11 per thousand over 3,000 gallons

Residential Irrigation
Residential irrigation rates are billed twice during the year. Bills are generated in July and December to homeowner associations for irrigation of their common lawn areas.

The rates are:

• $10.15 for the first 8,000 gallons
• $2.11 per thousand over 8,000 gallons

Irrigation Meters
Irrigation meters are available for commercial properties and homeowner associations. Irrigation meters are not available to individual homeowners.

An irrigation meter may be purchased at the Public Works Building, 2301 Tower Drive, during regular business hours, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The cost of the meter varies, depending on size and type.

Questions?

• If you have questions concerning your water bills, call Utility Billing at (651) 714-3508.
• If you have questions concerning your water service, water meters, or your sanitary sewer service, call Public Works at (651) 714-3720 or e-mail publicworks@ci.woodbury.mn.us.
• If you have questions concerning street lights, call Xcel Energy at (800) 960-6235.
• If you have questions concerning storm water, call Public Works at (651) 714-3720 or e-mail publicworks@ci.woodbury.mn.us.

• Municipal Water Service
• Lawn Watering Restrictions
• Sanitary Sewer Systems
• Storm Water System and Maintenance
• Water and Sewer Emergencies
• Utility Billing