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Sewer Service Charge (SSC)

The Sewer Service Charge (SSC) is applied to metered water use to obtain money for constructing and maintaining sewers and sewage treatment plants, and for treating sewage which is discharged into the sewer system. The officially adopted ordinances, rules, and regulations will rule in case of any conflicts. Refer to Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC) Section 64.41, as modified or to the actual LAMC code citing.

This fee is on your Department of Water and Power (DWP) bill, if you are currently billed for the service. The charge is based on metered water use and generates funds for constructing and maintaining wastewater facilities such as sewers and sewage treatment plants, and for treating the sewage that is discharged into the sewer system.

The current SSC rate is​ $5.80 per 748 gallons or one HCF (hundred cubic feet) of sewage volume​.

For this fiscal year, the DWCF is 0.78 and the Rainy Season Review Period (RSRP) was from October 25, 2021 to March 28, 2022.

The City Median is 12 HCF for a 60 day billing cycle. Customers who do not have a complete billing period within the RSRP are charged based on the City Median.

The low income surcharge (LIS) is 0.00500 of your SSC amount.

For commercial customers, the default percentage discharge is 93%.

Residential Sewer Service Charge (SSC)

Your residential Sewer Service Charge (SSC) is based on the amount of water you use. The residential SSC is calculated this way because most of that water eventually goes down the drain and into the sewer system.

Winter Water Use (WWU)

To calculate the residential SSC a methodology called the Winter Water Use (WWU) is used.

The WWU contains a number of mathematical concepts which are used to bring your SSC charges more in line with your actual use of the waste water system.

1. On July 1 of each year we calculate your average daily winter water use (WWU). We take the billing period of the previous winter that had the lowest daily water consumption and divide that consumption by the number of days within that billing period. This daily average is shown in hundreds of cubic feet per day or HCF/day (1 HCF = 748 gallons).

WWU = HCF Per Day / Days in Winter Lowest Daily Water Consumption Billing Period

2. To account for winter irrigation, we usually reduce the WWU by using a Dry Winter Compensation Factor (DWCF) in the calculation. This year’s DWCF is 0.78. 

3. When we apply the DWCF we get your Average Daily Sewage Volume (ADSV). Once we’ve determined your ADSV, for billing purposes we say that your sewage flow remains the same from July 1 to June 30.

ADSV = DWCF x WWU

4. Now we are able to calculate your bi-monthly SSC. We multiply your ADSV by the SSC Rate (currently, $5.80 per HCF) and the number of days in the current billing period.

Sewer Service Charge = ADSV x SSC Rate x Days in Current Billing Period

In September of each year you receive a Sewer Service Charge information pamphlet. We suggest that you keep it handy. It contains helpful information such as how to lower your water bill, how you may qualify for a refund, how to protect your sewer, wastewater system and much more.

NEW for 2022/23 (Panfleto 2022/23)

Sewer Service Charge information pamphlet

Panfleto informativo sobre su Tarifa del Servicio de Alcantarillado

Sewer Service Charge (SSC) Adjustments

You may qualify for an SSC adjustment if:

• You refilled an empty swimming pool, planted a new lawn, or had water leaks during the winter rainy season
• Your property has been vacant for an entire billing period
• You have irrigation-only meters
• Your residential property has been billed as a commercial property
• Your commercial property has been billed as a residential property
• Your commercial property uses a significant amount of water for a product, cooling tower, or irrigation
• Your commercial property discharges low-strength sewage
• Your commercial property had a large water leak not tributary to the sewer
• Some adjustments are time sensitive, so please submit your requests within 30 days of receiving your bill.

To request an adjustment, you may do so online at:

MyLA 311 > Create a Service Request

Or you may submit a hard copy by downloading the appropriate form, complete, sign and return it by fax or mail to the following:

Residential Customers

LA Sanitation, FMD Attn: Residential SSC Adjustments P.O. Box 79083 Los Angeles, CA 90079-0083 
san.rssc@lacity.org

Residential SSC Adjustment Form 

Commercial Customers

LA Sanitation, FMD Attn: Commercial SSC Adjustments P.O. Box 79112 Los Angeles, CA 90079-0112 Fax: (213) 485-4269

Commercial SSC Adjustment Form 

Sub-meter Customers

If you have a water sub-meter, the water you use and discharge into the sewer system will be measured and billed as follows:
SSC = SSC rate x Volume of Domestic Water Used for the Billing Period (in HCF)
Water sub-meters may often be beneficial for properties that cannot significantly reduce irrigation (for example, large lots).

Pursuant to Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC) Section 64.41.03(g)(3) (A)(ii), after installation of a sub-meter, subsequent billings will be calculated based on actual internal water consumption.

Prior to installing a water sub-meter, please review the following applicable informational packages regarding the sub-meter program:

Commercial Sub-meter Informational Package

Residential Sub-meter Informational Package

Low Income Program

On July 1, 1997, the City began to offer a 31% discount on the Sewer Service Charge for the first 18 HCF of water per two-month billing period for low-income customers who are 62 years of age or older or are permanently disabled. The discount program applies only to single family dwellings. The discount does not apply to duplexes, triplexes, quadri-plexes and multiple dwellings.

To find out if you qualify, complete the form from the following link:

Financial Assistance Form

LA Sanitation Customer Service

The LA Sanitation Customer Care Center is open 24 hours, seven days a week.

Email: san.callcenter@lacity.org
Phone: 1-800-773-CITY (2489)
TDD: (213) 473-4112

 
Water Conservation Tips

www.ladwp.com/waterconservation

www.h2ouse.org

www.bewaterwise.com

(800) DIAL-DWP (800 342-5397) or (800) 544-4498

Department of Water and Power (LADWP) Contact Information

Customer Service: http://www.ladwp.com/customerservice
Phone: (800) DIAL-DWP (800 342-5397)
TDD: (800) HEAR-DWP (800 432-7397)
Commercial Customers: (800) 499-8840
Low Income Subsidy: (800) 342-5397

SSC Ordinance

The SSC is governed by Ordinance No. 171531, which amended the Los Angeles City Municipal Code (LACMC) to convert the SSC from a percentage discharge basis to WWU basis, was adopted in February, 1997. WWU methodology of determining a resident’s SSC became effective July 1, 1997. Use the LA City Clerk’s Council File Management System to search for the ordinance.

The Board of Public Works rules and regulations for administration of the SSC was adopted in March, 2007.

Rules and Regulations