Sewer and Stormwater Rate Study

Share Sewer and Stormwater Rate Study on Facebook Share Sewer and Stormwater Rate Study on Twitter Share Sewer and Stormwater Rate Study on Linkedin Email Sewer and Stormwater Rate Study link

Littleton’s sewer and stormwater systems protect public health, homes, businesses, and the South Platte River. Utility rate increases are necessary to ensure the city can maintain, repair, and reinvest in this critical infrastructure before failures occur.

Large, rusty, broken stormwater pipes lie on dry ground near a cracked sidewalk and a chain-link fence.What's hiding beneath our streets? Pipes like these serve our community for decades — until they can't. The Sewer and Stormwater Rate Study will ensure that rates and fees match the needs of upgrading crucial infrastructure, and help the city meet future repairs proactively.

The City of Littleton is in the process of conducting a rate study to address rising costs and determine appropriate utility bills for sewer and stormwater — also known as wastewater and storm drainage. The frequency of billing is being considered as well; currently, residents make an annual one-time payment.

Understandably, this decision could frustrate some residential, multifamily, and commercial customers, but consider the importance of protecting our community for future generations:

  • Once raised, Littleton’s sewer and storm rates will remain competitive with surrounding cities and jurisdictions.
  • The city maintains 129 miles of sanitary sewer and 53 miles of storm drains.
  • Many components are reaching the end of their service life.
  • Preventative maintenance is far less costly than emergency repairs.
  • Rates directly fund system reliability and infrastructure upgrades.
  • The city has identified $72.4 million for stormwater projects and $261.5 million for sewer projects over the next 10 years.

Timeline

The Rate Study Timeline displayed on this page is subject to change. New rates are expected to take effect in January 2027. An independent consultant, Raftelis, is conducting the study to ensure the rate structures used to calculate sewer and stormwater bills are accurate, financially sustainable, and fair. Tap fees, which are one-time fees paid when a new home or building connects to the system, will also be considered as part of the study.

More Information

The city will host community meetings during the spring and summer of 2026 to update you on new rates, their impacts, and how they will support long-term reliability in Littleton.

Learning From the Past

The changes you will see on your sewer and stormwater bills in 2027 are driven by real needs. Littleton’s sewer and stormwater systems are aging and need repair or replacement in many cases. Without proactive maintenance and upgrades, our pipes will continue to collapse, and we risk sinkholes and unsafe waterways.

Littleton residents may remember when heavy rains pushed the stormwater system to its limit in 2023. Our overstressed stormwater system led to major sinkholes along Jackass Hill Road, Mineral Avenue, and South Broadway. Upgrading the system will help ensure we prevent these types of disruptions in the future.

Littleton’s sewer and stormwater systems protect public health, homes, businesses, and the South Platte River. Utility rate increases are necessary to ensure the city can maintain, repair, and reinvest in this critical infrastructure before failures occur.

Large, rusty, broken stormwater pipes lie on dry ground near a cracked sidewalk and a chain-link fence.What's hiding beneath our streets? Pipes like these serve our community for decades — until they can't. The Sewer and Stormwater Rate Study will ensure that rates and fees match the needs of upgrading crucial infrastructure, and help the city meet future repairs proactively.

The City of Littleton is in the process of conducting a rate study to address rising costs and determine appropriate utility bills for sewer and stormwater — also known as wastewater and storm drainage. The frequency of billing is being considered as well; currently, residents make an annual one-time payment.

Understandably, this decision could frustrate some residential, multifamily, and commercial customers, but consider the importance of protecting our community for future generations:

  • Once raised, Littleton’s sewer and storm rates will remain competitive with surrounding cities and jurisdictions.
  • The city maintains 129 miles of sanitary sewer and 53 miles of storm drains.
  • Many components are reaching the end of their service life.
  • Preventative maintenance is far less costly than emergency repairs.
  • Rates directly fund system reliability and infrastructure upgrades.
  • The city has identified $72.4 million for stormwater projects and $261.5 million for sewer projects over the next 10 years.

Timeline

The Rate Study Timeline displayed on this page is subject to change. New rates are expected to take effect in January 2027. An independent consultant, Raftelis, is conducting the study to ensure the rate structures used to calculate sewer and stormwater bills are accurate, financially sustainable, and fair. Tap fees, which are one-time fees paid when a new home or building connects to the system, will also be considered as part of the study.

More Information

The city will host community meetings during the spring and summer of 2026 to update you on new rates, their impacts, and how they will support long-term reliability in Littleton.

Learning From the Past

The changes you will see on your sewer and stormwater bills in 2027 are driven by real needs. Littleton’s sewer and stormwater systems are aging and need repair or replacement in many cases. Without proactive maintenance and upgrades, our pipes will continue to collapse, and we risk sinkholes and unsafe waterways.

Littleton residents may remember when heavy rains pushed the stormwater system to its limit in 2023. Our overstressed stormwater system led to major sinkholes along Jackass Hill Road, Mineral Avenue, and South Broadway. Upgrading the system will help ensure we prevent these types of disruptions in the future.

  • Rate Study Engagement Opportunities

    Share Rate Study Engagement Opportunities on Facebook Share Rate Study Engagement Opportunities on Twitter Share Rate Study Engagement Opportunities on Linkedin Email Rate Study Engagement Opportunities link
    supporting image

    Littleton’s aging sewer and stormwater systems create unnecessary risks for public health and the environment. The City of Littleton is working with a consultant to conduct a rate study that will determine appropriate rates for sewer and stormwater services. Utility rate increases are necessary to help the city move from reactive, costly emergency repairs to a proactive approach that keeps pace with infrastructure needs and community demands.

    There are multiple engagement opportunities for residential, multifamily, and commercial customers to stay informed.

    The city is hosting two informational events to help community members understand how the study’s findings will likely increase

    Littleton’s aging sewer and stormwater systems create unnecessary risks for public health and the environment. The City of Littleton is working with a consultant to conduct a rate study that will determine appropriate rates for sewer and stormwater services. Utility rate increases are necessary to help the city move from reactive, costly emergency repairs to a proactive approach that keeps pace with infrastructure needs and community demands.

    There are multiple engagement opportunities for residential, multifamily, and commercial customers to stay informed.

    The city is hosting two informational events to help community members understand how the study’s findings will likely increase utility bills. Both will cover the rate study process, share key findings, and provide an opportunity to ask questions:

    • Webinar — Thursday, July 16 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. (subject to change) A link to join this virtual event will be posted here, and on the city’s website.
    • Open House — Wednesday, August 26 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Littleton Center. This will be an in-person event for residents to chat with staff and consultants and ask questions.

    Staff will also be available at this summer’s Meet Greet & Eat events (June 10, July 15, August 19, and September 16) and city council office hours at Bemis Public Library on June 12 and July 31 from 10 a.m. to noon.

    The city has identified $72.4 million for stormwater projects and $261.5 million for sewer/wastewater projects over the next 10 years. Rate study recommendations will address sanitary sewer service rates, storm drainage fees, tap fees, development impact fees, utility billing practices, and possible future debt financing for large-scale capital projects.

    The rate study is scheduled for another discussion at the June 16 city council meeting. For more information, visit LetsTalkLittleton.org.

  • Funding the Future Under our Feet

    Share Funding the Future Under our Feet on Facebook Share Funding the Future Under our Feet on Twitter Share Funding the Future Under our Feet on Linkedin Email Funding the Future Under our Feet link

    The public works department is conducting a comprehensive study of the fees, rates, and cost of service for Littleton’s sanitary sewer and storm drainage systems. Littleton has struggled in recent years with aging sewer and stormwater infrastructure, including costly and disruptive emergency repairs following several culvert collapses. Ensuring rates and fees match the needs of upgrading this crucial infrastructure will help ensure Littleton can meet the future proactively, not reactively. The study will provide recommendations to update the rates for sanitary sewer service, storm drainage, tap fees, development impact fees, and efficient utility billing. The assessment will look into cost

    The public works department is conducting a comprehensive study of the fees, rates, and cost of service for Littleton’s sanitary sewer and storm drainage systems. Littleton has struggled in recent years with aging sewer and stormwater infrastructure, including costly and disruptive emergency repairs following several culvert collapses. Ensuring rates and fees match the needs of upgrading this crucial infrastructure will help ensure Littleton can meet the future proactively, not reactively. The study will provide recommendations to update the rates for sanitary sewer service, storm drainage, tap fees, development impact fees, and efficient utility billing. The assessment will look into cost recovery, and possible future debt financing of large-scale capital projects related to sewer and stormwater systems. Public communications and city council updates will be provided during the first half of 2026, with any approved rate changes taking effect in January 2027.


Page last updated: 22 May 2026, 04:04 PM