Cleveland Utilities Announces Changes to Wastewater Residential Sewer Cap Billing Effective July 1, 2026 & Reduction in Pricing for Irrigation Meters Beginning September 1, 2025

Cleveland Utilities (CU) is announcing an important update for its residential wastewater billing structure effective July 1, 2026. Historically, Cleveland Utilities has implemented a 14-unit cap on wastewater billing during the months of April to November.  Starting next July, CU will eliminate this 14-unit wastewater cap, a change that will directly tie wastewater charges to actual water consumption. This change will create a more equitable and transparent model for CU customers. 

As part of the transition, Cleveland Utilities will also reduce the cost of irrigation meters beginning September 1, 2025. Irrigation meters are often used to measure water that does not flow into the sewer system. For example, lawn or garden use. Previously, irrigation meters were priced at twice the rate of standard residential water meters. Moving forward, their pricing will match that of a standard residential water meter, making it more affordable to install an irrigation meter and potentially save on wastewater charges. CU encourages customers to monitor their water usage and assess whether the installation of an irrigation meter would be beneficial for their household.

Cleveland Utilities will focus on educating customers about these changes. The goal is to provide ample time to determine if installing an irrigation meter will be advantageous for their water and sewer budgets. This educational effort is aimed at ensuring a smooth transition for all customers.

For more information, customers are encouraged to contact Cleveland Utilities Call Center at (423) 472-4521. An informative campaign will provide ongoing updates prior to implementation.