Water rates

Effective July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2029

The City Council adopted three-year water rates on June 9, 2026. The City Council also adopted new capacity charges, a one-time charge for new and upgraded connections to the water system.

Menlo Park Municipal Water relies on water rate revenues to fund the costs of operating and maintaining the water system including purchasing wholesale water from the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC).

Water rates are the same for all customers. Rates consist of the following components:

Item	Description
Fixed monthly meter charge	A monthly service charge based on meter size. The monthly fixed meter service charge recovers portions of fixed cost elements such as meter maintenance and services, meter reading, customer billing, and capacity costs associated with public fire protection.
Unmetered fire fixed charge (commercial customers only)	This monthly fee is based on meter size for private fire service connections. The fire service charge will recover the costs of maintenance and capacity costs associated with private fire protection costs.
Effective until June 30, 2026 Consumption charge (3-tier)	A charge based on the amount of water consumption measured in centum cubic feet (ccf, where one ccf = 100 cubic feet = 748 gallons) in three tiers as follows: • Tier 1: 0 – 6 ccf • Tier 2: 7 – 12 ccf • Tier 3: Above 12 ccf
Effective July 1, 2026 Consumption charge (Uniform for all)	The water consumption charges to all customer classes will change from tiered rates to uniform rates for all. This charge is based on the amount of water consumption measured in centum cubic feet (ccf, where one ccf = 100 cubic feet = 748 gallons) • All usage - $9.39/ccf
Capital facility surcharge	This surcharge is based on the amount of water consumption and helps to partially fund water capital projects.
SFPUC wholesale pass-through rate	Water is purchased from the SFPUC. The adopted rates assumed certain SFPUC wholesale rates effective July 1 each year. Pursuant to California Government Code 53756, any additional increases in SFPUC wholesale water rates may pass-through to water users when the actual SFPUC rates exceed estimates. This pass-through provision applies to wholesale rates, water management charges and other regulatory or environmental charges required by SFPUC.
Drought surcharge	The Water Shortage Contingency Plan(PDF, 4MB) includes six drought stages representing specific drought scenario (up to 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, or 50%, and greater than 50% reductions). The Plan includes City actions and corresponding regulations/prohibitions that would be implemented if the City Council declares a drought stage.
Capacity charge	This fee is charged for new and upgraded connections to the water system based on the size of the service connections.

Learn about Menlo Park's rate assistance pilot program

Frequently asked questions

Why do water rates need to be adjusted?

As the cost of providing water services rises, rates must also increase to cover these expenses.

What do water rates pay for?

a. Operations and maintenance: This includes purchasing water from the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission and covering the day-to-day upkeep, repair, and operation of the City’s water infrastructure.

b. Capital improvement projects (CIP): Infrastructure upgrades that are needed to ensure the water system remains reliable.

For more information, visit the capital improvement project website.

What is a uniform water rate?

Beginning July 1, 2026, MPMW will transition to a uniform water rate, replacing the three-tier rate system. A uniform rate is based on the cost of providing service and applies equally to all customers. This means the cost per gallon of water is the same regardless of how much water is used.

How are water bills calculated?

The table below illustrates the total cost of an average residential water bill with 12 ccfs (8,976 gallons) of tiered usage.

Description (Effective until June 30, 2026)	CCF	Cost/CCF	Monthly cost
Tier 1: 0–6 ccf	6	$6.18	$37.08
Tier 2: 7–12 ccf	6	$8.30	$49.80
Tier 3: over 12 ccf	0	$10.56	$0
Water capital surcharge	12	$1.92	$23.04
SFPUC wholesale pass-through	12	$0.74	$8.88
5/8” fixed meter charge (Check your bill for your property's meter size as this rate may vary. Refer to the water rates sheet(PDF, 125KB) for other fixed meter charges)			$33.53
Monthly total			$152.33

What is a ccf or water unit?

A water unit is equal to 748 gallons or 100 centum cubic feet (ccf) of water. Water customers are charged for each whole unit of water used during a billing cycle. Menlo Park Municipal Water does not charge for partial units.

Do different types of customers have different types of rates?

No. All customers have the same rates which include a fixed monthly meter charge, consumption charges and capital surcharge for metered water use.

How can I lower my bill?

You can reduce your water charges by conserving water and using it more efficiently. The City has a number of water conservation programs to help reduce water use and improve water use efficiency. Please visit our water conservation webpage for more information.

Contact us

Working hours:
Monday - Thursday: 7:30 a.m.- 5:30 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Closed every other Friday(PDF, 131KB)

City Hall counter hours:
Monday - Thursday: 1 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
Friday: 1 p.m.-5 p.m.
Closed every other Friday(PDF, 131KB)

Billing and customer service
For account information, billing questions or to make a payment
Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
menlopark.util360.com
844-360-7733
Email

For urgent water issues call us: 650-330-6750

Water main break
Water leaks (City owned service line)
Quality concerns

After-hours and weekends, call the police non-emergency line: 650-330-6300

Email anytime for non-emergency requests: water@menlopark.gov

Make an appointment

Report other non-emergency Public Works Department issues through ACT

ACT is the City's online issue platform. Some examples of issues to report via ACT include:

Park maintenance
Damaged street signs
Streetlight outages
Sidewalks/ tripping hazards
Missed street sweeping