Sewer and Stormwater Rate Study
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.
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.Council to Decide on Utility Rate Increases for 2027 and Beyond
City Council will review the newly proposed utility (sewer and stormwater) rate structures at the November 10, 2026, study session, as part of the 2027 fee schedule discussion. If council adopts the fee schedule as recommended by staff, new sewer and stormwater rates will go into effect January 1, 2027.
Overview
Raftelis has completed its Sewer and Stormwater Rate Study, which recommends that Littleton increase its utility rates through 2035 to ensure the long term reliability of the systems that protect our homes, businesses, and the South Platte River. These updates help fund critical improvements, replace aging infrastructure, and maintain safe, dependable service into the future. Council approves any rate increases on an annual basis for the upcoming year.
Littleton property owners who pay utility bills will see increased sewer and storm rates beginning in 2027. In addition, the sewer rate structure will shift from a fixed monthly charge to a flexible, use based system beginning July 1, 2027. The stormwater rate structure will remain the same. Rate structure refers to the method by which bills are calculated.
The city also plans to transition from its current practice of annual billing to monthly billing, beginning sometime in 2027. Monthly billing is common industry practice — it provides customers with more frequent and predictable bills and helps distribute payments more evenly over the course of the year. The city is currently working with its billing software provider to determine the timing and implementation of this change. Importantly, processing or transaction fees will not increase as a result of moving to monthly billing. Updates will be shared as soon as the billing timeline is finalized.
What’s Changing
Sewer Rates (noted as “Sewer Treatment Charge” and/or “Sewer Collection Charge” on 2026 utility bills): how a customer is charged for sewer services depends on their customer type. The last two customer types don’t pay a Littleton collection charge because the collection charge comes from their respective district:
- City of Littleton
- Inside City/Served by District
- Outside City
Beginning January 1, 2027, customers will be charged a 5-percent increase monthly under the current fixed rate until June 30. To calculate the monthly bill for the first half of 2027, simply add up all sewer charge(s) from 2026 and divide by 12, then multiply by 1.05 to get the monthly charge for the first six months.
Beginning July 1, 2027, Littleton will introduce a flexible sewer rate structure that aligns charges more closely with actual system use. The new flexible rate will include:
- A monthly fixed charge;
- A volume charge based on water use:
- Residential and multifamily, based on average winter consumption (January–March)
- Commercial, based on actual monthly water use
Current Fixed Structure
Residential customers pay a flat charge. Multifamily customers pay a flat charge per unit. Commercial customers pay a flat charge or volume rate.
Residential | Flat charge | Equals | Total Sewer Bill |
Multifamily | Flat charge per unit | Equals | Total Sewer Bill |
Commercial | Flat charge or volume rate Based on lowest two months of water volume | Equals | Total Sewer Bill |
Proposed Flexible Rate Structure
Under the new rate structure, every customer will pay a fixed charge and a volume rate based on their usage.
Residential | Fixed Charge $ per Bill | Plus | Volume Rate $ per 1,000 gallons Based on average winter water volume | Equals | Total Sewer Bill |
Multifamily | Fixed Charge $ per Unit per Bill | Plus | Volume Rate $ per 1,000 gallons Based on average winter water volume | Equals | Total Sewer Bill |
Commercial | Fixed Charge $ per Bill | Plus | Volume Rate $ per 1,000 gallons Based on actual winter water volume | Equals | Total Sewer Bill |
To calculate the monthly bill starting July 1, 2027, use this equation:
[fixed charge] + [# per 1,000 gallons] x (treatment rate + collection rate).
Refer to the table below:
| City of Littleton | Inside City, Served by a District | Outside City | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential | Residential | Residential | |||
| Customer Charge, $ per bill | $21.06 | Customer Charge, $ per bill | $21.06 | Customer Charge, $ per bill | $22.75 |
| Treatment, $ per 1,000 gallons | $2.93 | Treatment, $ per 1,000 gallons | $2.53 | Treatment, $ per 1,000 gallons | $3.51 |
| Collection, $ per 1,000 gallons | $1.75 | Collection, $ per 1,000 gallons | N/A | Collection, $ per 1,000 gallons | N/A |
| Multifamily | Multifamily | Multifamily | |||
| Customer Charge, $ per bill | $14.22 | Customer Charge, $ per bill | $14.22 | Customer Charge, $ per bill | $17.06 |
| Treatment, $ per 1,000 gallons | $2.93 | Treatment, $ per 1,000 gallons | $2.93 | Treatment, $ per 1,000 gallons | $3.51 |
| Collection, $ per 1,000 gallons | $1.75 | Collection, $ per 1,000 gallons | N/A | Collection, $ per 1,000 gallons | N/A |
| Commercial | Commercial | Commercial | |||
| Customer Charge, $ per bill | $18.96 | Customer Charge, $ per bill | $18.96 | Customer Charge, $ per bill | $22.75 |
| Treatment, $ per 1,000 gallons | $2.93 | Treatment, $ per 1,000 gallons | $2.93 | Treatment, $ per 1,000 gallons | $3.51 |
| Collection, $ per 1,000 gallons | $1.75 | Collection, $ per 1,000 gallons | N/A | Collection, $ per 1,000 gallons | N/A |
Using the City of Littleton/Residential column as an example, assuming 4,000 gallons of use in a month, the calculation would be 21.06 + 4 x (2.93+1.75) = $39.78. It is estimated that an average family uses about 4,000 gallons a month, so that’s why it is estimated the average residential customer will see about a $10 increase in their monthly sewer charge starting in July 2027. The current fixed rate for residential is $30.05.
Proposed sewer charge increases in 2027 and beyond:
- 2027 — 5% increase under the current fixed rate (January through June; 2027). Water users will see an additional rate increase when the flexible rate structure begins (July–December 2027);
- 2028 — 25%;
- 2029 through 2035 — 5% annually.
The city recognizes that any rate increase may be a concern for customers. Under the flexible structure, however, some residential and multifamily 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. These customers will be able to “set their bill” for future months depending on how much water they use in the first quarter of 2027, known as average winter consumption.
Affordability Program
An affordability, or financial assistance, program is being developed to provide an up to 40 percent discount on the customer sewer charges shown above for those who qualify. Details of the program and how to apply for it are still being finalized.
Stormwater Rates (noted as “Storm Charge” on 2026 utility bills): stormwater, or storm drainage, rate structures are not changing. Existing rates that are assessed annually will continue to be based on:
- Lot size
- Impervious area (roofs, pavement)
- Pervious area (landscaped or natural surfaces)
How a customer is charged for sewer services depends on their customer type. Charges will also depend on how developed the property is:
- Single family
- Multifamily
- Commercial
- Industrial
- Public (ex. School).
Beginning January 1, 2027, stormwater customers will be charged a 60-percent increase monthly under the current fixed rate. To calculate your monthly bill, simply add up your Storm Charge from 2026 and divide it by 12. That number will increase by 60 percent (multiply by 1.6) in 2027.
Refer to the table below:
| Description | Single Family Detached Structures | Multifamily Residential, Commercial, Industrial, Public | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $ per lot or property | $ per developed acre of impervious area | |||
| Developed | 2026 | $10.38 | 2026 | $86.44 |
| 2027 | $16.61 | 2027 | $138.31 | |
| Increase | $6.23 | Increase | $51.87 | |
| $ per acre of pervious area | ||||
| 2026 | $21.61 | |||
| 2027 | $34.58 | |||
| Increase | $12.97 | |||
| Subdivided/ Undeveloped | $ per undeveloped lot | $ per undeveloped lot | ||
| 2026 | $2.59 | 2026 | $21.61 | |
| 2027 | $4.15 | 2027 | $34.58 | |
| Increase | $1.56 | Increase | $12.97 | |
| Undivided/ Undeveloped | $ per undeveloped lot | $ per undeveloped lot | ||
| 2026 | $21.61 | 2026 | $21.61 | |
| 2027 | $34.58 | 2027 | $34.58 | |
| Increase | $12.97 | Increase | $12.97 | |
| Vacant and Undisturbed | $ per acre of vacant res property | $ per acre of vacant property | ||
| 2026 | $2.16 | 2026 | $2.16 | |
| 2027 | $3.46 | 2027 | $3.46 | |
| Increase | $1.30 | Increase | $1.30 | |
As an example, most residential customers would fall into the “Single Family Detached Structures” category. Put very simply, those customers will see a $6.23 increase per month in their 2027 utility bill.
Proposed storm charge increases in 2027 and beyond:
- 2027 — 60%
- 2028 — 60%
- 2029-2035 — 5% annually
Tap Fees
As part of the findings of the rate study, the City of Littleton will proceed in reducing sewer connection tap fees to better align with South Platte Renew (SPR) and Englewood.
Why These Changes Are Needed
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. Much of the existing infrastructure is aging, and addressing these needs now will help:
- Prevent costly emergency repairs
- Improve sewer and stormwater reliability
- Reduce flooding risks
- Modernize the South Platte Renew treatment facility
- Maintain compliance with environmental regulations
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.
Stay Informed
More updates will be added to this page as new rates get implemented. Residents and businesses are encouraged to check back regularly and participate in any upcoming engagement opportunities. The city will continue to keep Littleton utility bill payers informed here as the process moves forward, as well as in the Littleton Report, Littleton Links, and on social media.
The city acknowledges the complexity of the new rates. Anyone with questions about the rate study is encouraged to call or email the Project Contacts listed on this page.
Updated Timeline
- November 10, 2026 — City Council Study Session discussion
- November 17, 2026 — City Council approves Fee Schedule
- January 1, 2027 — Sewer and stormwater rate increases begin under existing structures
- July 1, 2027 — Flexible sewer rate structure takes effect
- 2027 — Transition to monthly billing (date TBD)
- 2028-2035 — Annual planned utility rate increases continue
More Information
- Council presentation — October 6, 2026 [video]
- Council presentation — October 6, 2026 [slides]
- Sewer and Storm Drainage Rate Study Draft Report — September 28, 2026
- Informational Webinar — September 3, 2026
- Open House information boards — August 26, 2026
- View the boards in Spanish (presentacion de jornada de puertas abiertas)
- Council presentation — August 11, 2026
- Council presentation — May 12, 2026
- Rate Study: Sewer Rates — April 30, 2026
- Council presentation — March 10, 2026
- 2026 City Budget Summary
- Rate Study FAQs
- Sign up for Littleton Links e-newsletter
- Read the latest Littleton Report
Note, that due to the evolving nature of the rate study, some information in the above links may have changed. To date, the city has hosted multiple engagement opportunities to update customers on proposed rates, their impacts, and how they will support long-term reliability in Littleton. Any new engagement opportunities, to inform customers about new rates, will be announced as they become finalized.
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