Why is there a minimum sewer charge?

For both water and sewer, most of the costs are fixed. That means that the city has to pay the same amount for pipes, lift stations, and billing regardless of the amount of water you use each quarter. In fact, 80% of our fixed cost comes from Metropolitan Council Environmental Services whom we pay in order for their plant to treat our wastewater. Therefore, our City has a fixed, or minimum, fee to reflect its fixed costs.

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1. What do my sanitary sewer rates pay for?
2. Is my sewer bill based on how much water I use?
3. Why is there a minimum sewer charge?
4. How do my sewer rates compare to other communities?