Rates

Fairfax Water rates remain among the lowest in the region. Click here to view a comparison chart of local water rates.

New Rates Effective April 2026

At their December meeting, the Fairfax Water Board approved changes to the water rates, which will go into effect April 1, 2026.

As a not-for-profit water utility, we only charge what it costs to serve you and this adjustment is necessary to meet rising costs in electricity, water treatment supplies, pipes, and project materials.

Why the New Rates are Needed

Providing safe, clean drinking water 24/7 is our top priority. But, just like everything else, delivering that service is getting more expensive. “Inflation” means that costs are going up for everyone, including for water utilities. Here are examples of how much more Fairfax Water has spent in the past 5 years because of inflation:

Graphic showing how much more Fairfax Water has paid for certain materials and services in the past 5 years: 40% increase in the cost of treatment supplies, 85% increase in the cost of pipes and related materials, 32% increase in the cost of meters, 12% increase in construction costs, 61% increase in the cost of electrical equipment, and a 28% increase in the cost of power.

How We Set Rates

Fairfax Water is a not-for-profit utility. That means we only charge what it costs to provide clean, safe water to customers. We are separate from Fairfax County Government, so we do not receive any taxpayer revenue.

When we look at rate changes, we take into consideration:

Are the proposed increases fair and reasonable, and will it be applied equally to all customers?
What data supports the increase?
Are there new regulations we need to consider?
What projects do we need to undertake to ensure reliability of service?

Comparison of 2025 and 2026 Rates

CHARGE

CHARGE DESCRIPTION

CURRENT
(EFFECTIVE APRIL 1, 2025)

APPROVED (EFFECTIVE APRIL 1, 2026)

Availability Charge

For service to be furnished through each new separate service connection

$4,930

$5,090

Local Facilities Charge

For each service connection to an existing water main

$24,290

$24,850

Service Connection Charge

For each new service connection and meter installation, prior to the approval of the application

$1,840

$1,960

Account Charge

Appears only on Initial Bills, offsets the cost of the office and field work required to open a new account.

$48

$50

Quarterly Service Charge

Is based on meter size, appears on all of our bills for water service. It offsets the costs of meter reading, repair, and replacement; service repairs; billing, postage, collecting, accounting and customer service operations. The charge for apartments, commercial, and municipal accounts also includes a fee to offset the cost of cross connection plumbing inspections.

$16.55

$17.55

Commodity Charge (per 1,000 gallons)

Charge for Established Accounts - The charge per 1,000 gallons of water used in the previous three months. Established accounts may be subject to a peak use charge.

Charge for New Accounts - The charge per 1,000 gallons of water used in the previous three months. New customers pay a higher rate because they are not charged for their peak use until they establish their winter quarter consumption. **

$4.03

$4.18

$4.35

$4.50

Peak Use Charge (per 1,000 gallons)

Are applied (during billing periods ending in June through November) to water consumption that is 1.3 times the Winter Quarter Consumption or 6,000 gallons above the Winter Quarter Consumption, whichever is greater.

$4.15

$4.20

Turn Off/Turn On Charge

If your service is disconnected due to nonpayment or noncompliance, this charge will be added to your account and must be paid before water service is restored. Requests for same-day service restoration will be accepted during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

$58

$61

After Hours Service Restoration Charge

The additional after-hours service restoration charge will be added to your account and is applicable for same-day service restoration requests received from 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

$58

Returned Payment Charge

If your check or automatic bank draft is returned unpaid by your bank, a returned payment charge will be added to your account.

$25

Unauthorized Use Charge

If a customer willfully takes steps to reactivate service after service has been initially discontinued by Fairfax Water

$250

Sewer Use Meter Charge

Costs incurred for installing second meter. Typically these meters are for commercial uses, such as irrigation, cooling tower use, and community pools. They register water not sent to the sanitary sewer system.

Actual material costs plus $47 inspection fee

Actual material costs plus $48 inspection fee

* Unless otherwise stated, charges reflect fees associated with standard 5/8 “ residential meter. Changes in charges for larger residential and commercial meters are reflected in the Schedule of Rates, Fees, and Charges available above.

** For customers billed quarterly whose accounts were in existence during the whole of the preceding winter quarter billing period.

Fairfax Water rates remain among the lowest in the region. Click here to view a comparison chart of local water rates.

Planning for the Future

Another challenge we face is planning for the future. At Fairfax Water, we have plans in place to meet water demands through 2040 and we’re working on plans to ensure our distribution system remains strong through this century. Click here to read more.

This long-range planning allows us to make changes in our rates, fees, and charges in small increments to keep our system strong, which ensures we can expand as needed to meet water demands. Improvements to our system over the past several years cost $500 million, with another $783 million anticipated over the next 10 years. To learn more about these projects, click here.