System Capacity Charges Cover Conveyance, Storage

The System Capacity Charge is the cost for the conveyance and storage facilities necessary to operate the delivery system. The Water Treatment Capacity Charge is the cost for the connection to the Twin Oaks Valley Water Treatment plant. The Water Treatment Capacity Charge is an additional charge for each new meter of a size less than one inch and a corresponding increase for larger meters. The Water Treatment Capacity Charge excludes customers from the cities of Escondido, Poway, and Del Mar, which cannot be served by the Twin Oaks plant.

Effective January 1, 2025, the Water Authority has administratively adjusted the system and water treatment capacity charge schedule as reflected in the Calendar Year 2025 table below.

2024

2024
Capacity Charges

Meter Size, InchesFactorSystemWater Treatment
Less than 11.0$5,700$159
11.6$9,120$254
1.53.0$17,100$477
25.2$29,640$827
39.6$54,720$1,526
416.4$93,480$2,608
630.0$171,000$4,770
852.0$296,400$8,268
1078.0$444,600$12,402
12132.0$752,400$20,988
2025

2025
Capacity Charges

Meter Size, InchesFactorSystemWater Treatment
Less than 11.0$6,364$178
11.6$10,182$285
1.53.0$19,092$534
25.2$33,093$926
39.6$61,094$1,709
416.4$104,370$2,919
630.0$190,920$5,340
852.0$330,928$9,256
1078.0$496,392$13,884
12132.0$840,048$23,496
Ordinances

Historical
Capacity Charge Ordinances

2022-04Amending and Restating the System Capacity and Water Treatment Capacity Charges Imposed by the Water Authority Pursuant to Section 5.9 of the County Water Authority Act
2021-02Amending and Restating the System Capacity and Water Treatment Capacity Charges Imposed by the Water Authority Pursuant to Section 5.9 of the County Water Authority Act
2020-02 Amending and Restating the System Capacity and Water Treatment Capacity Charges Imposed by the Water Authority Pursuant to Section 5.9 of the County Water Authority Act
2019-03 Amending and Restating the System Capacity and Water Treatment Capacity Charges Imposed by the Water Authority Pursuant to Section 5.9 of the County Water Authority Act
2018-04 Amending and Restating the System Capacity and Water Treatment Capacity Charges Imposed by the Water Authority Pursuant to Section 5.9 of the County Water Authority Act
2017-02Amending and Restating the System Capacity and Water Treatment Capacity Charges Imposed by the Water Authority Pursuant to Section 5.9 of the County Water Authority Act
2016-04An Ordinance of the Board of Directors of the San Diego County Water Authority Amending Chapter 1.16 of the Administrative Code
2014-03Amending and Restating the System Capacity and Water Treatment Capacity Charges Imposed by the Water Authority Pursuant to Section 5.9 of the County Water Authority Act
2008-01Amend Ordinance No. 97-1
Permit an Exemption from Payment of Capacity Charges for Increases in Meter Size Necessary to Accommodate Standby Capacity for Residential Fire Sprinklers in Single Family Residences
2007-03Revision and Consolidation Policies Governing Revenue Collection
2005-03Amend Ordinance No. 2004-08
Increase the System Capacity Charge to $3,985 for a Meter Size of Less than 1-inch, Make Corresponding Adjustments to the System Capacity Charge for Larger Meters, Establish a Water Treatment Capacity Charge and set that Charge at $153 for a Meter Size of Less than 1-inch and Make Corresponding Adjustments to the Water Treatment Capacity Charge for Larger Meters and Provide for Automatic Annual Adjustments to Both Charges
2004-08Amend Ordinance No. 97-1
Increase the Capacity Charge to $2,461 for a Meter Size of Less than 1 inch. Adjust for Larger Meters and Provide for Automatic Annual Adjustments
2002-05Amend Ordinance No. 97-1
Permit an Exemption from Payment of Capacity Charges for Increases in Meter Size Necessary to Accommodate Residential Fire Sprinklers
2001-03Amend Ordinance No. 97-1
Clarification of Certain Administrative Provisions (Addition of No. Capacity Charge for Reclaimed Water Meters and Refunds)
2000-3Amend Ordinance No. 97-1
Fix Capacity Charges on Ultimate Users of Water from the San Diego County Water Authority
2000-1Amend Ordinance No. 97-1
Fix Capacity Charges on Ultimate Users of Water from the San Diego County Water Authority
99-2Amend Ordinance No. 97-1
Fix Capacity Charges on Ultimate Users of Water from the San Diego County Water Authority
97-1Fix Capacity Charges on Ultimate Users of Water from the San Diego County Water Authority
96-1Fix Capacity Charges on Ultimate Users of Water from the San Diego County Water Authority and Increases the Capacity Charge to $1,516 for a Meter Size of Less than 1 inch
95-1Fix Capacity Charges on Ultimate Users of Water from the San Diego County Water Authority and Increases the Capacity Charge to $1,461 for a Meter Size of Less than 1 inch
94-1Fix Capacity Charges on Ultimate Users of Water from the San Diego County Water Authority
93-1Fix Capacity Charges on Ultimate Users of Water from the San Diego County Water Authority and Increases the Capacity Charge to $1,413 for a Meter Size of Less than 1 inch
92-1Fix Capacity Charges on Ultimate Users of Water From the San Diego County Water Authority and Increases the Capacity Charge to $1,094 for a Meter Size of Less than 1 inch
91-7Amend Ordinance 91-3
Fix Capacity Charges on Ultimate Users of Water from the San Diego County Water Authority
91-3Permit the Water Authority to Fix and Impose Capacity Charges upon the Ultimate Users of Water Delivered, and Increases the Capacity Charge to $996 for a Meter Size of Less than 1 inch
90-2Permit the Water Authority to Fix and Impose Capacity Charges upon the Ultimate Users of Water Delivered, and to Require its Member Agencies to Collect the Charges on Behalf of the Water Authority