How do I read my utility bill?

Summary of Responsible Parties' Information
In the upper right of the Utility Bill is the summary of responsible parties’ information; bill due dates, bill amount, and how the bill is set to be paid. (It will only say Paid By Draft if that is set up). 

Customer Account Information
Across the top are the responsible parties' name, address, and account number:customer account information

Current Billing Period
The next row is the information for the current billing period. Going from left to right; view the:

  • Service status: in this example it says active – water is actively being supplied to this location.
  • Service dates The town bills water service on a monthly schedule; in this case the range is the 4th of December to the 4th of January, a total of 31 days in this case. 
  • Bill date: This is the date that the bill was generated by the Town of Erie The Penalty Date: This is the date after which a penalty fee will be assessed 
  • Due date: This is the date on which the payment must have been received by the Town to avoid any penalty. 

Meter Readings and Volume
Moving down a row (and left to right) is the:

  • Current meter reading
  • Previous month’s reading
  • Normalized volume used in this billing period
  • Meter Readings: In the example below, the January reading of 472,662 gallons and the December reading of 468,635 gallons, and a billed usage of 4,000 gallons. Even though the math comes out to just over 4,000 gallons, the town rounds to 4,000. The rounding rules are pretty simple: The threshold is 500 gallons: anything less than 499 rounds down to the nearest thousand, and anything more than 500 rounds up to the nearest thousand.

meter readings


Chargessummary of charges

  • Summary of charges: This central section covers the breakdown of charges. Starting at the top, we see last month’s bill for $76.60 and the credit of ($76.60) showing that it was paid on time with no adjustments or penalties; with no past-due amount.
  • Base water charge: In the example, the charge of $19.36 is determined based on the size of the water-line going into your house. 
  • Water usage tier 1: In the example, the charge of $22.12 is the 4000 gallons used at the $5.53 per 1,000 gallons for this tier 1 use. Remember, the usage tiers are called out at the bottom of the bill. The cost is $5.53 per 1000 gallons used. So at 4000 gallons, this charge comes to $22.12 or $5.53x4.
  • Storm drainage usage: This charge of $11.98 is a base fee for all residential accounts.
  • Sewer Base Charge: This charge of $10.30 is a base fee for all users.Sewer Usage Charge: This charge of $28.35 is based on the volume of water used.

  • Bar graph: In the example, the bar graph depicts 9 months of water volume use for this service address from May through January. This address used just under 10,000 gallons in May and over 30,000 gallons in August.

  • Tiers:
    Tier 1 use is 0 through 5,000 gallons at $5.53 per gallon
    Tier 2 use is 5,001 through 15,000 gallons at $6.92 per gallon
    Tier 3 use is 15,001 through 25,000 gallons at $10.35 per gallon
    Tier 4 use is over 25,001 gallons at $15.49 per gallon
    If John Doe had used 7000 gallons of water, his usage charge would be $41.49:
    Tier 1, $5.53 x 5 = $27.65
    Tier 2, $6.92 x 2 = $13.84

  • Single-family and Townhomes: Water monthly charge per 1,000 gallons:
    single family and townhomes










Show All Answers

1. Is there a penalty for late payment?
2. How is my utility bill calculated?
3. How does the Town supply our community with water?
4. How does the cost of Erie’s water compare to our neighbors?
5. How do I read my utility bill?
6. What does my utility bill cover?
7. How are utility rates determined?
8. How does the rate structure encourage water efficiency?
9. How do we ensure that we don’t subsidize new and future neighbors who tie-in to the system?
10. Are there any changes to how wastewater is charged?
11. We want to do more to conserve – can the Town help?
12. Are there any other ways the Town is helping customers have greater visibility on water use?
13. When do you read the water meters?
14. I’m struggling to pay my water bill – are there resources to help?
15. What kind of payments do you accept?
16. When do you send out the bills?
17. When is my bill due?
18. How is the drinking water quality?