FAQs
Rate Study FAQs
What should I know about Littleton’s sanitary sewer and stormwater systems?
Littleton’s sanitary sewer system is vital to our community’s health and safety. It carries wastewater from homes and businesses to South Platte Renew, our region’s wastewater treatment plant. There, wastewater is treated to the highest safety standards before it returns to the environment. Our stormwater system plays a crucial role by guiding rain and snowmelt back to the South Platte River, protecting our community from flooding and reducing pollution from entering our river.
A dedicated team of professionals manages 129 miles of sanitary sewer, 53 miles of storm drains, and 30 miles of drainage systems around the clock to ensure your wastewater and stormwater remain down the drain, where they belong. Because the City of Littleton owns and operates these systems, City Staff can make all the maintenance decisions with the community in mind – ensuring reliable services over time.
How do these systems protect public health and the environment?
Our sanitary sewer and stormwater systems are the first line of defense for public health and the environment. South Platte Renew treats nearly 20 million gallons of wastewater every day for 21 communities, serving a population of over 300,000. It uses advanced technology to test and treat water until it meets strict safety standards.
When it rains or snows, stormwater flows into the street. This stormwater runoff is not treated; it flows directly into our waterways. Our stormwater system and local drainage network work together to transport runoff from streets to reduce flooding. As it moves through the system, the stormwater passes through water quality features to prevent pollutants from entering our streams, helping preserve Littleton’s natural beauty.
What do my stormwater and sewer bills pay for?
Each time you pay your stormwater or sewer bill, you contribute to that specific system, ensuring it receives the maintenance it needs to run reliably. Your bills help us maintain hundreds of miles of sanitary sewer and stormwater drains, employ professionals who ensure fast repairs and reliable service, and fund critical infrastructure upgrades. The City can only use revenue from your stormwater or sewer bill to pay for work on that specific system, nothing else, ensuring tax money is thoughtfully invested.
How much will my bill increase, and how can I learn more about the changes?
The rates study is underway, so we don’t have final costs, recommendations, or updates yet. When study results are available, we will share an update on LetsTalkLittleton.org. The City will also host community meetings to update you on new rates, their impacts, and how they will support long-term reliability in Littleton.
What is a utility rate study, and why is it needed?
To continue delivering the high-quality sewer and stormwater services Littleton customers expect and deserve, the City must periodically adjust utility rates to recover the costs of operating, maintaining, and providing these services. The City is reviewing its stormwater and sewer rates to ensure that future revenues are sufficient to operate and maintain each utility and to support the reliability and resilience of our critical infrastructure in the future.
Littleton has struggled in recent years with emergency repairs to the sewer and stormwater systems, including responding to culvert collapses that damaged roadways on Jackass Hill Road and Dry Creek Road, and a large-scale repair on Broadway at Lee Gulch. As materials and labor costs continue to increase, it’s critical to ensure rates allow proactive rather than reactive responses to the needs of the system.
How are utility rates calculated?
The utility bills you pay are calculated based on the actual cost of providing safe and reliable service, including regular maintenance and system upgrades. Our rates are based on a detailed study conducted by Raftelis, an independent third-party expert. This ensures our rate structures are sustainable and fair. Currently, city planners have identified a substantial gap between needed repairs and available funds. Narrowing that gap requires a comprehensive look at current rates.
What are the current rates, and when were they last updated?
Currently, single-family customers located inside city limits pay about $360 annually for sewer service and about $125 for stormwater service. Rates for all customer types are available on the City’s website here.
The City last updated its rates in 2021. Regular rate adjustments are an industry best practice that helps ensure the utility can keep pace with rising costs, changing community needs, and aging infrastructure.