You water bill includes the costs associated with providing water to your tap, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It includes a fixed Capital Maintenance Fee that pays for the repair and replacement of aging pipelines, water tanks and other infrastructure to improve the reliability of your service by reducing the risk of pipe breaks and service interruptions. It also includes a Watershed Management Fee that is based on water use, and which helps to cover the cost of protecting and maintaining the Mt. Tamalpais watershed, the primary source of our local water supply.

Below is a more detailed breakdown of the line items on your bill:

Service Charge

Providing water to your tap 24/7 involves a network of support services. Your Service Charge includes fixed costs associated with your water service, such as maintenance, billing, customer support services, and other operational costs. 

Watershed Management Fee

The Watershed Management Fee is a water use-based charge that pays for the sustainable management of our Mt. Tamalpais watershed, including vegetation management for wildfire prevention, protecting natural habitats, and the water quality of our reservoirs.

Capital Maintenance Fee

Marin Water is California’s first municipal water district, established in 1912. Many of our pipes are more than 100 years old. The Capital Maintenance Fee is a fixed fee that funds capital projects, including replacing old pipelines, tanks and other infrastructure that improve the overall reliability of your water service.

Water Service Tier Charges (Tiered Rates and Allotments)

Your Water Service Tier Charges show the per-unit cost of water used. One unit equals 748 gallons, or 100 cubic feet of water. Tiers are based on your water use. Everyone uses tier one first, then moves into the next tiers based on progressively higher water use.

SAMPLE BILL

Your water bill may be adjusted in case of water loss due to circumstances beyond your control, such as a mechanical malfunction, blind leak, water theft, vandalism, unexplained water loss, or other unusual or emergency conditions. Adjustments will not be made for faucet leaks.

Water loss or leak adjustment requests must be made in writing, and are limited to two billing periods, and one adjustment every 36 months. Corrective action must be taken within 48 hours of discovering or being notified of a leak, and the district requires proof of repairs within 30 days from the billing date when the water loss occurred.

To request a billing adjustment for loss of water, complete and submit the request form along with your proof of repairs. Marin Water staff will review for eligibility to determine approval. 

For a full description of our policy, review Marin Water's code. 

Resources: 

• Request a billing adjustment for loss of water
• District Code 6.01.090