Water and Sewer Billing

Important Message for Petaluma Water Customers
Water and Wastewater Rates Increasing July 1, 2025

From turning on the faucet to flushing the toilet, water and wastewater services are a key part of daily life in Petaluma. To keep these essential systems running smoothly, the City of Petaluma must continue maintaining, repairing, and upgrading our water infrastructure.

Beginning in July 2025, most customers will see about a 6% increase in their total monthly water and sewer bill, as projected in the 2023 rate study. You can view the full study on our website by visiting cityofpetaluma.org/2023ratestudy.

These rate increases help pay for:

• Day-to-day operations
• Replacing aging infrastructure
• Ongoing maintenance and repairs
• Water conservation and drought resilience projects

Rate Increase Effective September 2023

Back in 2023, we studied what it would take to ensure reliable water service now and for years to come. Based on that study, the City Council approved a five-year plan to gradually raise rates each year.

CLICK HERE to view the Water & Wastewater Utility Rate Study.

A virtual community meeting was held July 31, 2023 to review the proposed rate increase and what funds would be used for, as well as address questions and concerns from the community. Links to recordings of the meeting are available below.

CLICK HERE to view a recording of the meeting in ENGLISH.

CLICK HERE to view a recording of the meeting in SPANISH.

A public hearing on the rates was held at City Council on August 7, 2023.

Petaluma’s water and wastewater utilities are financially self-supporting enterprises that rely primarily on revenues from service charges to fund the costs of providing service. As such, water and wastewater rates must be set at levels adequate to fund the costs of operations, maintenance, debt service, wholesale water supply from Sonoma Water, and capital improvements needed to support safe and reliable service. The City also proposed Water Shortage Contingency Plan Rate Adjustments that could be phased in to support financial stability of the City’s utilities during a drought or water shortage emergency.

Petaluma’s combined water and wastewater charges for a typical single-family home are in the middle range compared to other regional agencies and are projected to remain in the middle range with the rate increases.

The full text of the notice can be read in English HERE or in Spanish HERE.

CLICK HERE to view the recording of the meeting.

The City is committed to operating as cost-effectively as possible while providing safe and reliable utility service. For questions or more information about the rates, please contact the Department of Public Works & Utilities at 707-778-4546 or by email at [email protected].

Rates, Billing Cycle, and More

The City of Petaluma bills for water and wastewater (sewer) services on a monthly basis. Both of these services are included in your monthly utility bill.

Click here for information about how we calculate rates and other information.