Sewer Fees
The City of Ottumwa charges a Sewer Fee to its residents. It is structured as a user fee for the use of the City's sewer system and treatment facilities. The fee is based on the amount of water used, and therefore, run down the drain. Revenues from the Sewer Fee pays for the operation and maintenance of our community's sewer system and wastewater treatement facility. Residents are billed for their sewer fee on their water bill from Ottumwa Water and Hydro.
The City of Ottumwa's most recently approved sewer fee increase went into effect on October 1st 2007. The base charge is $11 per month with a unit charge of $3.10 per 100 cubic feet of water used. Additional increases have been scheduled for July 1st 2008 and 2009.
The revised ordinance also eliminated the special summertime residential billing method. People that use large amounts of water for their lawns or gardens are advised that they are now billed for their actual usage and will notice a much higher bill if they continue to water at the same rate.