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, Inches | Factor | System | Water Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 | 1.0 | $5,700 | $159 |
| 1 | 1.6 | $9,120 | $254 |
| 1.5 | 3.0 | $17,100 | $477 |
| 2 | 5.2 | $29,640 | $827 |
| 3 | 9.6 | $54,720 | $1,526 |
| 4 | 16.4 | $93,480 | $2,608 |
| 6 | 30.0 | $171,000 | $4,770 |
| 8 | 52.0 | $296,400 | $8,268 |
| 10 | 78.0 | $444,600 | $12,402 |
| 12 | 132.0 | $752,400 | $20,988 |
2025
2025
Capacity Charges
| Meter Size, Inches | Factor | System | Water Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 | 1.0 | $6,364 | $178 |
| 1 | 1.6 | $10,182 | $285 |
| 1.5 | 3.0 | $19,092 | $534 |
| 2 | 5.2 | $33,093 | $926 |
| 3 | 9.6 | $61,094 | $1,709 |
| 4 | 16.4 | $104,370 | $2,919 |
| 6 | 30.0 | $190,920 | $5,340 |
| 8 | 52.0 | $330,928 | $9,256 |
| 10 | 78.0 | $496,392 | $13,884 |
| 12 | 132.0 | $840,048 | $23,496 |
Ordinances
Historical
Capacity Charge Ordinances
| 2022-04 | 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 |
| 2021-02 | 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 |
| 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 |
| 2017-02 | 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 |
| 2016-04 | An Ordinance of the Board of Directors of the San Diego County Water Authority Amending Chapter 1.16 of the Administrative Code |
| 2014-03 | 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 |
| 2008-01 | Amend 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 |
| 2007-03 | Revision and Consolidation Policies Governing Revenue Collection |
| 2005-03 | Amend 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 |
| 2004-08 | Amend 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 |
| 2002-05 | Amend Ordinance No. 97-1 Permit an Exemption from Payment of Capacity Charges for Increases in Meter Size Necessary to Accommodate Residential Fire Sprinklers |
| 2001-03 | Amend Ordinance No. 97-1 Clarification of Certain Administrative Provisions (Addition of No. Capacity Charge for Reclaimed Water Meters and Refunds) |
| 2000-3 | Amend Ordinance No. 97-1 Fix Capacity Charges on Ultimate Users of Water from the San Diego County Water Authority |
| 2000-1 | Amend Ordinance No. 97-1 Fix Capacity Charges on Ultimate Users of Water from the San Diego County Water Authority |
| 99-2 | Amend Ordinance No. 97-1 Fix Capacity Charges on Ultimate Users of Water from the San Diego County Water Authority |
| 97-1 | Fix Capacity Charges on Ultimate Users of Water from the San Diego County Water Authority |
| 96-1 | Fix 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 |
| 95-1 | Fix 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 |
| 94-1 | Fix Capacity Charges on Ultimate Users of Water from the San Diego County Water Authority |
| 93-1 | Fix 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 |
| 92-1 | Fix 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 |
| 91-7 | Amend Ordinance 91-3 Fix Capacity Charges on Ultimate Users of Water from the San Diego County Water Authority |
| 91-3 | Permit 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 |
| 90-2 | Permit 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 |