Rates, Fees, Charges and Penalties

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• Review Fees

• Inspections, CCTV and Record Drawing Fees

• Availability Charges

• Central System Water & Sewer User Rates

• Connection Charges

• Hydrant Meter Program Fees and Penalties

Review Fees

Loudoun Water review fees are calculated as a base fee plus length of pipe (main plus service lines). All submissions will be based on a base fee plus total length of pipe until the plan has been approved. Once the plan has been approved, if a revision to an approved plan (RAP) is submitted the fees are based on the revised lengths of pipe.

Plan Review Fees
	Base	+	Per Linear Foot
Water and Reclaimed Water main and services	$540	+	$0.43
Sewer main and laterals	$540	+	$0.54

For non-linear projects such as pump stations, PRV vaults, community systems, etc., the review fee is paid at the first submission and then reassessed at plan approval. This fee is 2.5% of the construction bond estimate.

Inspections, CCTV and Record Drawing Fees

Where a Construction Permit is needed to extend or modify Loudoun Water's facilities, the applicant must pay Inspection and Record Drawing Fees to defray the cost of services provided by Loudoun Water. Rates are as follows:

Inspection Fees
	Per Linear Foot	Minimum
Water and Reclaimed Water Main and Services	$3.46	$350
Sewer Main and Laterals	$3.81	$380

 

*Based on 100 linear feet

For non-linear projects, applicants shall pay two and one-half percent (2.5%) of the approved bond amount for inspection services (water, wastewater, or reclaimed water).

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Availability Charges

Loudoun Water assesses availability charges on all service connections. Payment of availability charges purchase capacity in Loudoun Water’s system.

Availability charges are necessary to recoup the capital costs of delivering water and sewer service to customers. These capital costs result from construction of facilities such as treatment plants, storage tanks, transmission mains, and pump stations. The amount of the charge is based on the demand the customer places on the system, such that each customer pays for a proportionate share of the capital infrastructure provided by Loudoun Water.

The capacities associated with water and wastewater availability charges are Maximum Daily Water (MDW) use and the Average Daily Sewer (ADS) use. Both are measured in gallons per day (gpd).

For example, a single-family residence would purchase 550 gpd MDW and 275 gpd ADS; this also known as one Equivalent Residential Connection (ERC).

In most cases, the availability charges are based upon the size of meter needed to convey the adequate flow and an associated ERC value (Table 1 – Availability Charges Based on Meter Size). However, for high demand customers, hotels, hospitals, and large connections, the charge may be based on an estimate of the customer’s demands.

Table 1: Availability Charges Based on Meter Size 

Meter	ERC	MDW (gpd)	Water Availability	ADS (gpd)	Sewer  Availability
3/4" (Residential)	1	550	$7,617	275	$9,241
3/4"  (Commercial)	1.5	825	$11,426	413	$13,862
1"	3	1,650	$22,851	825	$27,723
1-1/2"	6.5	3,575	$49,511	1,788	$60,067
2"	12	6,600	$91,404	3,300	$110,892

*Meters greater than a 2” shall be assessed availability charges based on estimated demand. **1" UL Rated meter if fire line.

 

To provide guidance on estimating availability charges Loudoun Water has developed a list of appropriate meter sizes for a number of uses (Table 2 – Meter Size Based on Type of Use). One may apply the availability charges in Table 1 to the corresponding meter size in Table 2. If a use is not addressed within the guidance below, please contact Loudoun Water to discuss the specific application.

For customers who anticipate their demands to vary from the guidance provided herein, Loudoun Water can consider estimates provided by the customer. However, availability charges will not be assessed at an amount less than the rates within Table 1.

Table 2:  Meter Size Based on Type of Use

Use Type	Meter Size	Descriptions/Assumptions
Carwash Ancillary to a Gas Station	1.5" Meter	Automated drive through, 1 bay with a reclamation system
Cinema up to 3500 seats	2" Meter	Standard cinema with concession stand and no restaurant or meal service.
Fitness Center with Indoor Swimming Pool up to 30,000 SF	2" Meter	This includes the pool draining to sanitary sewer.  This does not include outdoor pool or irrigation.
Office - Medical Office up to 50,000 SF	1.5" Meter	Does not include irrigation.
Office - Medical Office 50,000 to 100,000 SF	2" Meter	Does not include irrigation.
Office Space up to 100,000 SF	1.5" Meter	Does not include irrigation.
Office Space 100,000 to 150,000 SF	2" Meter	Does not include irrigation.
Swimming Pool (Approximate Surface Area 5,500 SF)	2" Meter	This does not include bath/club house demands.
Restaurant - Coffee Shop	3/4" Meter	Stand alone coffee shop with independent service connection.
Restaurant - Dine In less than 10,000 SF	1.5" Meter	Does not include irrigation.
Restaurant – Dine in up to 20,000 SF	2" Meter	Does not include irrigation.
Restaurant - Fast Food	1.5" Meter	Fast food restaurant with approximate floor area 3,000 SF.
Retail up to 4 Store Fronts	1" Meter	Does not include restaurants, grocery stores, indoor swimming pools, pet stores with aquariums, or irrigation.
Retail more than 4 Store Fronts	1.5 Meter	Does not include restaurants, grocery stores, indoor swimming pools, pet stores with aquariums, or irrigation.
Retail - Large Retail	2" Meter	Applicable to big box stores and construction retail. Does not include garden center or irrigation.
Warehouse	1.5" Meter	Does not include irrigation, evaporative cooling, data centers, laundry, food preparation and packaging, beer brewing, or other high water demand uses.

Multifamily dwelling = 65% of 1 ERC (a single family residence), per unit*
*Availability charges for Multifamily structures will not be determined as estimated flow, irrespective of meter size.  Does not include irrigation usage.

For customers whose needs exceed the capacities listed in Table 1, hotels, hospitals, and large connections, availability charges are assessed based on an estimate of the customer’s demands. To provide guidance on estimating demands Loudoun Water has developed a list water and sewer demands based on use (Table 3 – Estimated Demand Based on Use).

Table 3:  Estimated Demand Based on Use

Use Type	MDW	ADS	Description/Assumptions
Brewery	15 gallons/ gallon Beer	7 gallons/ gallon Beer	Applicable to the average production rate. Does not include restaurant use. Rates adapted from Water Resources Engineering, by Larry W. Mays, 2011.
Carwash	15,000 gpd	5,000 gpd	Stand alone, automated drive through, 1 bay, with a reclamation system, and includes domestic use.
Cinema with More than 3,500 Seats	3 gpd/ seat	1 gpd/ seat	Standard cinema with concession stand and no restaurant or meal service.
Evaporative Cooled Data Center	1 gpd/SF	0.125 gpd/ SF	Applicable to traditional evaporative cooling system (cooling towers).  Assumes a 25% blow-down to sanitary sewer. Does not include domestic use.
Fitness Center with Indoor Swimming Pool Larger than 30,000 SF	350 gpd/ 1000 SF	200 gpd/ 1000 SF	This includes the pool draining to sanitary sewer.  This does not include outdoor pool or irrigation.
Hospital	600 gpd/ bed	300 gpd/ bed	An inpatient facility, not including urgent care, nursing home, or assisted living.  ADS based on Va.DEQ estimated wastewater flow rate.
Hotel	130 gpd/ room	85 gpd/ room	This includes hotels and motels with swimming pool, meeting hosting, and breakfast.  This does not include evaporative cooling or irrigation.
Laundromat (Coin Laundry)	900 gpd/ machine	450 gpd/ machine	Considers non-high efficiency washers of varied capacity (20lb.-70lb.) and includes domestic use.
Office - Medical Office Larger than 100,000 SF	90 gpd/ 1000 SF	45 gpd/ 1000 SF	Does not include irrigation.
Office Space Larger than 150,000 SF	60 gpd/ 1000 SF	30 gpd/ 1000 SF	Does not include irrigation.
Restaurant - Dine In Larger than 20,000 SF	500 gpd/ 1000 SF	200 gpd/ 1000 SF	Does not include irrigation.
Schools	75 gpd/ 1,000 SF	25 gpd/ 1,000 SF	Includes evaporative cooling, but not irrigation or concession stands.  If evaporative cooling is not included, reduce the MDW to 50 gpd/1,000 SF.

To estimate availability charges using Table 3, one may apply the unit values for MDW and/or ADS to the following rates: 

Availability Charges for Estimated Demand:
Availability Charge Water $13.85/gpd of MDW
Availability Charge Wastewater $33.60/gpd of ADS

Examples Using Table 3:
Hotel (100 Rooms):
Water Availability Charge = 100 Rooms x 130 gpd/Room x $13.85/gpd = $180,050
Sewer Availability Charge = 100 Rooms x 85 gpd/Room x $33.60/gpd = $285,600

Evaporative Cooled Data Center (100,000 SF):
Water Availability Charge = 100,000 SF x 1 gpd/SF x $13.85/gpd = $1,385,000
Sewer Availability Charge = 100,000 SF x 0.125 gpd/SF x $33.60/gpd = $420,000

Fitness Center (50,000 SF):
Water Availability Charge = 50,000 SF x 350 gpd / 1,000 SF x $13.85/gpd = $242,375
Sewer Availability Charge = 50,000 SF x 200 gpd / 1,000 SF x $33.60/gpd = $336,000

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Central System Water & Sewer User Rates

Fiscal Year
Water Base Rates Per Month		2023
(Meter Size)
5/8"		$12.99
3/4"		$19.49
1"		$38.98
1.5"		$84.46
2"		$155.92
3"		$344.32
4"		$630.18
6"		$883.55
Multifamily & Commercial
Usage Rate
(Per 1,000 Gallons)	Tier 1	$3.75
	Tier 2	$6.44
All Other Uses (Irrigation)		$7.92

 

 

Reclaimed Water
Uniform Rate Per 1,000 Gallons	2023
	$1.75

 

Fiscal Year
Sewer Base Rates Per Month	2023
(Meter Size)
5/8"	$12.98
3/4"	$19.47
1"	$38.94
1.5"	$84.37
2"	$155.76
3"	$343.97
4"	$629.53
6"	$882.64
Usage Rate (per 1,000 gallons)	$5.59
Typically, new rates go into effect January 1 of each year
Source: Authority Division of Finance

*Includes, but not limited to, fire hydrant special use and construction water for which an availability charge has not been paid and irrigation and irrigation submeters. 
Changes effective January 1
Base rates are monthly 
Source: Authority Division of Finance

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Connection Charges

Loudoun Water assesses availability charges on all service connections. Payment of availability charges purchase capacity in Loudoun Water’s system.  Loudoun Water also assesses a permit fee and meter charge for each connection.

In most cases, the availability charges are based upon the size of meter needed to convey the adequate flow and an associated ERC value (Table 1 – Availability Charges Based on Meter Size). However, for high demand customers, multi-family buildings, hotels, hospitals, and large connections, the charge may be based on an estimate of the customer’s demands. 

To provide guidance on estimating availability charges Loudoun Water has provided a list of appropriate meter sizes for a number of uses. Please see the Availability Charges page for more information on choosing the correct meter size and for information on when the above table may not apply to your application. 

Table 2: Common Meter Sizes and their Costs

Meter Size	Meter Cost
¾” Residential	$315.00
1" Residential with Fire Line*	$400.00
¾” Commercial	$315.00
1"	$375.00
1.5"	$1,800.00
2"	$1,825.00
3"	$2,225.00
2” McCrometer	$6,150.00
3" McCrometer	$6,250.00

The customer pays for the cost of the meter prior to installation. The meter size is determined by the Loudoun Water project engineer and the consulting engineer based on the maximum instantaneous demand needed at the premise. 

Table 3: Permit Charges

Type	Sewer (per lateral)	Water (per service line)
Residential	$84.00	$84.00
Commercial / Industrial	$128.00	$128.00

Where Loudoun Water is to issue a Connection Permit so as to allow a new service connection and/or meter to be installed a Connection Charge shall be paid by the applicant. The Connection Charge is to defray the cost of the required initial inspection visit. Additional meter installation site visits shall be made at the expense of the applicant at $45 per visit. The applicant will be required to pay the cost of the new meter(s), which Loudoun Water will provide.

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Hydrant Meter Program Fees and Penalties

Advance Payment Fee - $400 (3/4") or $1,720 (3")

Rate per 1,000 gallons of water is $7.92.

A one-time permit charge of $30.00 will be on your first bill for all new hydrant meter permits.

A minimum charge of $10.00 per month will be assessed whether the meter is used or not.

A penalty of $100.00 will be imposed for each month there is a failure to report meter readings by the due date.

A penalty of $500.00 will be imposed for each instance of unauthorized or improper use of a fire hydrant based upon above stated regulations. The customer is responsible for any damage resulting from this instance.

If the hydrant meter is damaged beyond repair, the original advanced payment fee supplied will be forfeited. If repairs are possible, the customer may be billed for the parts replaced.

A penalty of $250.00 will be imposed for damages caused to the hydrant meter register or if it is missing.

Unlawful tampering with waterworks results in a Class 6 Felony, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in jail. Maliciously tampering with hydrants results in a Class 3 Felony, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine up to $100,000.

Any hydrant meter used in any of Loudoun Water’s service area that is not owned by Loudoun Water is subject to confiscation. A $500 fine will be applied, and the user will be billed for all usage from last submitted reading to associated water authority.

Loudoun Water Staff may confiscate a hydrant meter and associated equipment if they witness inappropriate use.  The meter will not be returned until the penalty has been paid. 

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