Rates and Structure
The information presented below is a summary. For the specific details, view the actual rate ordinance in the Ames Municipal Code, specifically, Chapter 28 and Appendix Q.
Converting Between Cubic Feet and Gallons: 1 cubic foot (CF) = 7.48 gallons
For each monthly billing period a residential rate customer shall be charged a minimum charge based on meter size, and in addition shall be charged for water usage during the billing periods.
Residential Rates - Effective July 1, 2025
Winter (Applies to bills mailed on or between Nov. 1 and June 30)
Summer (Applies to bills mailed on or between July 1 and Oct. 31)
- $0.0288 per cubic foot for the first 1,000 cubic feet of usage
- $0.0508 per cubic foot for the next 1,500 cubic feet of usage
- $0.0763 per cubic foot for all usage over 2,500 cubic feet
The average single-family home in Ames uses 600 cubic feet (4,488 gallons) per month, which costs $31.53 per month.
Non-Residential (Commercial) Rates - Effective July 1, 2025
Winter (Applies to bills mailed on or between Nov. 1 and June 30)
Summer (Applies to bills mailed on or between July 1 and Oct. 31)
Non-Peaking Industrial Rates - Effective July 1, 2025
Available to all non-residential rate customers who meet the following criteria:
- Average winter usage greater than 100,000 cubic feet per billing period. Average winter usage per billing period will be calculated by taking the sum of the usage during the most previous December, January, and February billing periods and dividing by three.
- Summer peaking factor equal to or less than 120% shall be computed by taking the largest consumption billed during the most recent summer billing periods (bills mailed July, August, September, and October) and dividing it by the average winter usage, with the result expressed as a percentage.
Winter (Applies to bills mailed on or between Nov. 1 and June 30)
Summer (Applies to bills mailed on or between July 1 and Oct. 31)
Irrigation and Yard Water Service Rates - Effective July 1, 2025
Winter (Applies to bills mailed on or between Nov. 1 and June 30)
Summer (Applies to bills mailed on or between July 1 and Oct. 31)
- $0.0415 per cubic foot for the first 2,000 cubic feet of usage
- $0.0763 per cubic foot for the next 3,000 cubic feet of usage
- $0.1270 per cubic foot for all usage over 5,000 cubic feet
All unit rate charges are in addition to a minimum bill charge that varies based on the meter size.
Minimum Charges - Effective July 1, 2025
For each monthly billing, each customer shall be charged a minimum monthly charge based on the size of the water meter (s) and/or irrigation meter (s) at each location. The minimum monthly charge may be prorated, based on a 30-day billing period, for the customer’s initial and/or final bills, provided that in no case shall the minimum monthly charge be less than seven dollars and six cents ($7.06).
Meter Size - Residential, Non-residential, Non-peaking Industrial, and Irrigation Accounts
- 5/8 or 5/8 x 3/4 inch = $14.70
- 3/4 inch = $29.39
- 1 inch = $58.80
- 1.5 inch = $117.59
- 2 inch = $235.19
- 2 inch, battery of 2 = $455.53
- 2 inch, battery of 3 = $675.97
- 3 inch = $470.26
- 4 inch = $793.53
- 6 inch = $1,322.55
- 8 inch = $2,645.09
- 10 inch = $3,967.64
Meter Size - Yard Water Accounts
- 5/8 or 5/8 x 3/4 inch = $5.57
- 3/4 inch = $8.64
- 1 inch = $12.04
- 1.5 inch = $16.61
- 2 inch = $22.08
- 2 inch, battery of 2 = N/A
- 2 inch, battery of 3 = N/A
- 3 inch = $28.72
- 4 inch = $35.70
- 6 inch = $42.76
- 8 inch = $49.82
- 10 inch = $56.34
Meter and Setting Fees - Effective July 1, 2025
Meter reading and billing are handled by the City of Ames Finance Department. Any inquiries about billing, starting or stopping utility services, or similar questions should be directed to the Customer Service Division of the Finance Department at 515-239-5120.
Disc Style (with Integral Radio)
- 5/8 or 5/8 x 3/4 inch = $435
- 3/4 inch = $460
Disc Style (with Radio ERT)
- 5/8 or 5/8 x 3/4 inch = $445
- 3/4 inch = $475
Ultrasonic Style
- 1 inch = $555
- 1.5 inch = $990
- 2 inch = $2,035
- 3 inch = $4,260
- 4 inch = $5,445
Magnetic Style
- 2 inch = $3,085
- 3 inch = $4,000
- 4 inch = $4,820
- 6 inch = $6,785
Turbo Style
- 2 inch = $2,205
- 3 inch = $3,820
- 4 inch = $5,160
- 6 inch = $9,575
- Larger than 6 inches or alternative styles = Determined when ordered
Other Meter Related Fees
- Hydrant Meter* = $310
- Frozen/damaged construction meter = $155
- Frozen/damaged meters 1 inch and smaller = $95 trip fee + depreciated value
- Frozen/damaged meters 1.5 inch and larger = $150 trip fee + repairs/replacement
- Unauthorized use of Water = $232/occurrence
- Unmetered use of Water = $3.03/day plus $20.11/month
- Meter resetting fee = $95
- Customer Requested Meter Test = $175
- Reconnect/Disconnect Fee = $95/trip
- After hours service call = $140
NOTE: Meter setting fees above include two service trips (one to set the temporary/construction meter, and one to set the permanent meter). A fee of $95 will be charged for additional trips due to unexposed or inoperable curb boxes, incomplete remote wire installations, or other circumstances where the meter installation cannot be completed.
* Hydrant meter fees include the cost to install and remove the meter. Requests to move the meter to a new location will be charged one-half of the hydrant meter fee. Consumption will be billed at the "Irrigation and Yard Water" rate. For usage that covers more than 30 days, the block sizes will be adjusted accordingly.
Sewer Rates and Billing - Effective July 1, 2025
Each user shall pay for services provided by the City based on his/her use of the treatment works as determined by water meter readings or other appropriate methods acceptable to the City.
Minimum charge = $13.73
In addition, each user shall be billed $3.51 per 100 cu. ft. of usage.
For those users whose wastewater has a greater strength than normal domestic sewage, a surcharge in addition to the normal user surcharge will be collected. The surcharge is as follows.
Oxygen Demand
- $0.54 per pound of biochemical oxygen demand
- $0.20 per pound of chemical oxygen demand
Solids
- $0.80 per pound of suspended solids
Nitrogen
- $1.94 per pound of ammonia
- $1.25 per pound of Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN)
Fats, Oils, and Grease
Fats, Oils, and Grease Charges - Effective July 1, 2025
Restaurant Surcharge = $3.26/100 cubic ft.
- Surcharge on sewer use for customers operating Food Service Establishments
Restaurant Fee = $96.14/month
- Fee for sewer use for customers operating Food Service Establishments which are not billed for sewer usage or whose sewer usage is not representative of the facilities food service activities.
Any user which discharges any toxic pollutants, as defined in the Sewer Use Ordinance, which cause an increase in the cost of managing the effluent or the sludge from the City's treatment works, or any user which discharges any substance which singly or by interaction with other substances causes identifiable increases in the cost of operation, maintenance, or replacement of the treatment works, shall pay for such increased costs.
Fees for the Water and Pollution Control Department, including high strength surcharge rates, are updated annually, usually in May.
There is no charge to Ames residents to dispose of RV or camper waste at the Ames WPC Plant. There is also a dump station located at the rest stop just north of Ames on US I-35. The plant also has facilities for commercial waste haulers. The commercial waste hauler disposal rates are below.
Waste Hauler Fees - Ames Locations - Effective July 1, 2025
- Domestic/Residential Waste = $10.25/Load + $4.95/100 gallons
- Restaurant Grease Traps = $67.94/Load + $3.98/100 gallons
- Non-Domestic Waste = $10.25/Load + unit rate to be determined
Hauled waste from non-Ames locations are assessed a 15% surcharge.
The Ames Water Pollution Control Facility does not provide and does not intend to provide a hazardous waste disposal site for the citizens of Ames or the State of Iowa.
Typically, wastewater usage is based on potable water consumption. The reading taken from the water meter is used to bill for both water and sewer. There are some exceptions for large customers that install and maintain a separate wastewater meter. Water meters are installed and maintained by the Water Meter Division. Meter reading and billing are handled by the City of Ames Finance Department. Any inquiries about billing, starting or stopping service, or similar questions should be directed to the Customer Service Division of the Finance Department at 515-239-5120.