Sewer and Stormwater Rate Study

Share Sewer and Stormwater Rate Study on Facebook Share Sewer and Stormwater Rate Study on X (formerly 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.

Rate Study Final Report Set to Go Before City Council

The City of Littleton is nearing completion of its 2026 Sewer and Stormwater Rate Study, which examines the utility system’s current and future financial needs and evaluates potential changes to customer rates. The Rate Study Final Report is scheduled to be presented to Littleton City Council on Tuesday, October 6.

Applicable customers are encouraged to take the Billing Frequency Poll through Monday, October 5.

Thank you to those who attended the Rate Study Open House and Informational Webinar. If you missed either event, you can:

Background: The proposed rate structure is intended to provide more stable, sustainable funding for operating, maintaining and improving Littleton’s sewer and stormwater systems. The study also considers how costs are distributed among different types of customers.

Under the proposal presented at the Open House and Webinar, an average single-family customer inside Littleton could see an increase of approximately $12 per month on their utility bill. A typical four-unit multifamily customer could see an increase of approximately $17 per month.

City staff and its consultant, Raftelis, have presented information to city council three times in 2026, with another presentation scheduled for October 6. If approved as part of the budget adoption process later this year, the new rates would take effect sometime in early 2027.

The city’s Sewer and Stormwater Rate Study, which began last year, is evaluating the appropriate rates for residential, multifamily, and commercial customers. Currently, Littleton customers receive one annual utility bill with separate charges for sewer and stormwater services. These utilities manage the wastewater that flows from homes and businesses, as well as the rainwater and runoff that drain from streets, roofs, and driveways.

Utility rates fund the operation, maintenance, and replacement of Littleton’s sewer and stormwater infrastructure. The rate study calculates the actual cost of providing these essential services by evaluating infrastructure needs, day-to-day operations, future capital improvements, and the demands different types of customers place on the system. This approach helps ensure rates are equitable, support necessary investments, and provide long-term financial sustainability.

Like many communities across the country, Littleton faces significant infrastructure needs. Over the next 10 years, the city expects to invest more than $256 million to rehabilitate and replace aging sewer infrastructure, and approximately $72.4 million in stormwater improvements. These investments will help protect public health, reduce flooding risks, meet regulatory requirements, and ensure reliable utility service for years to come.

The city recognizes that any rate increase may be a concern for customers. Under the proposed rate structure, however, some customers may be able to lower their sewer bills by reducing the amount of wastewater they send to the system. Water conservation measures — such as installing low-flow toilets and showerheads, running full loads of laundry, and reducing overall indoor water use — could help some households save money while also reducing demand on the system. Stormwater rates are increasing for all customers.

Timeline

New rates are expected to take effect sometime in early 2027. Find more information about upcoming engagement opportunities and council meetings on this page.

More Information

To date, the city has hosted multiple engagement opportunities to update customers 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.

Rate Study Final Report Set to Go Before City Council

The City of Littleton is nearing completion of its 2026 Sewer and Stormwater Rate Study, which examines the utility system’s current and future financial needs and evaluates potential changes to customer rates. The Rate Study Final Report is scheduled to be presented to Littleton City Council on Tuesday, October 6.

Applicable customers are encouraged to take the Billing Frequency Poll through Monday, October 5.

Thank you to those who attended the Rate Study Open House and Informational Webinar. If you missed either event, you can:

Background: The proposed rate structure is intended to provide more stable, sustainable funding for operating, maintaining and improving Littleton’s sewer and stormwater systems. The study also considers how costs are distributed among different types of customers.

Under the proposal presented at the Open House and Webinar, an average single-family customer inside Littleton could see an increase of approximately $12 per month on their utility bill. A typical four-unit multifamily customer could see an increase of approximately $17 per month.

City staff and its consultant, Raftelis, have presented information to city council three times in 2026, with another presentation scheduled for October 6. If approved as part of the budget adoption process later this year, the new rates would take effect sometime in early 2027.

The city’s Sewer and Stormwater Rate Study, which began last year, is evaluating the appropriate rates for residential, multifamily, and commercial customers. Currently, Littleton customers receive one annual utility bill with separate charges for sewer and stormwater services. These utilities manage the wastewater that flows from homes and businesses, as well as the rainwater and runoff that drain from streets, roofs, and driveways.

Utility rates fund the operation, maintenance, and replacement of Littleton’s sewer and stormwater infrastructure. The rate study calculates the actual cost of providing these essential services by evaluating infrastructure needs, day-to-day operations, future capital improvements, and the demands different types of customers place on the system. This approach helps ensure rates are equitable, support necessary investments, and provide long-term financial sustainability.

Like many communities across the country, Littleton faces significant infrastructure needs. Over the next 10 years, the city expects to invest more than $256 million to rehabilitate and replace aging sewer infrastructure, and approximately $72.4 million in stormwater improvements. These investments will help protect public health, reduce flooding risks, meet regulatory requirements, and ensure reliable utility service for years to come.

The city recognizes that any rate increase may be a concern for customers. Under the proposed rate structure, however, some customers may be able to lower their sewer bills by reducing the amount of wastewater they send to the system. Water conservation measures — such as installing low-flow toilets and showerheads, running full loads of laundry, and reducing overall indoor water use — could help some households save money while also reducing demand on the system. Stormwater rates are increasing for all customers.

Timeline

New rates are expected to take effect sometime in early 2027. Find more information about upcoming engagement opportunities and council meetings on this page.

More Information

To date, the city has hosted multiple engagement opportunities to update customers 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.

  • New Rate Structure Slated to Be Part of Budget Adoption Process

    Share New Rate Structure Slated to Be Part of Budget Adoption Process on Facebook Share New Rate Structure Slated to Be Part of Budget Adoption Process on X (formerly Twitter) Share New Rate Structure Slated to Be Part of Budget Adoption Process on Linkedin Email New Rate Structure Slated to Be Part of Budget Adoption Process link

    The Littleton public works team has been working on storm sewer repairs at W. Ridge Road and S. Elati Street after a sidewalk failure and sinkholes were discovered during a panel replacement in early June — just one of many critical repairs to sewer and stormwater infrastructure around the city in recent years.

    The City of Littleton is conducting a Sewer and Stormwater Rate Study to evaluate the appropriate rates for residential, multifamily, and commercial customers. Utility rate increases are necessary to ensure the city can maintain, repair, and reinvest in critical infrastructure before failures like this one occur. If approved as part of the budget adoption process later this year, the new rates would take effect in January 2027.

    Anyone interested in learning more about the rate study is encouraged to attend two upcoming public engagement opportunities to share the study’s findings, explain the proposed rate structure, and answer questions about how it could affect utility bills:

    Open House
    Wednesday, August 26, 4 - 6 p.m. at the Littleton Center, 2255 W. Berry Avenue

    Informational Webinar
    Thursday, September 3, 5:30 p.m. Register for the Webinar.

    The Littleton public works team has been working on storm sewer repairs at W. Ridge Road and S. Elati Street after a sidewalk failure and sinkholes were discovered during a panel replacement in early June — just one of many critical repairs to sewer and stormwater infrastructure around the city in recent years.

    The City of Littleton is conducting a Sewer and Stormwater Rate Study to evaluate the appropriate rates for residential, multifamily, and commercial customers. Utility rate increases are necessary to ensure the city can maintain, repair, and reinvest in critical infrastructure before failures like this one occur. If approved as part of the budget adoption process later this year, the new rates would take effect in January 2027.

    Anyone interested in learning more about the rate study is encouraged to attend two upcoming public engagement opportunities to share the study’s findings, explain the proposed rate structure, and answer questions about how it could affect utility bills:

    Open House
    Wednesday, August 26, 4 - 6 p.m. at the Littleton Center, 2255 W. Berry Avenue

    Informational Webinar
    Thursday, September 3, 5:30 p.m. Register for the Webinar.

  • Rate Study Engagement Opportunities

    Share Rate Study Engagement Opportunities on Facebook Share Rate Study Engagement Opportunities on X (formerly 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, September 3 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Register for this virtual event to learn more about the rate study process and key findings.
    • 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 X (formerly 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: 18 Sep 2026, 09:17 AM