DC Water published proposed rules that would institute a System Availability Fee (“SAF”), targeting projects that require an increase in the size of the water connection for drinking water.
DC Water, in its continuing effort to recapture infrastructure costs it has had to shoulder as a result of the renovation and redevelopment boom has announced Proposed Rules that would assess a one-time “System Availability Fee” (“SAF”) when developers seek to increase the size of the water service connection on or after April 1, 2016.
The System Availability Fee (SAF) is defined as:
System Availability Fee – A one-time fee assessed to a property owner of any premises, building or structure to recover the cost of system capacity put in place to serve all metered water service and sanitary sewer connections and renovation or redevelopment projects that require an upsized meter service connection to the District’s potable water system. The fee is assessed based on the peak water demand, excluding fire demand, for new meter water service connection and renovation or redevelopment projects that increase the peak water demand and associated SAF meter size for the property.
The Fee will apply to new development, redevelopment, and renovations and the amount of the fee is determined by the SAF meter size which is takes into account peak water demand (excluding fire demand). The proposed regulation states:
112.11 (c) The SAF meter size shall be computed for the peak water demand, excluding fire demand in accordance with D.C. Construction Codes Supplement of 2013, as amended, Chapter 3 (Water Meters) of this title, and DC Water Standard Details and Guideline Masters.
Residential Customers:
| SAF Meter Size
(inches) |
Water System Availability Fee | Sewer System Availability Fee | Total System Availability Fee |
| 5/8” | $ 1,135 | $ 2,809 | $ 3,944 |
| 3/4″ | $ 1,135 | $ 2,809 | $ 3,944 |
| 1” | $ 1,135 | $ 2,809 | $ 3,944 |
| 1”x1.25” | $ 2,047 | $ 5,066 | $ 7,113 |
| 1.5” | $ 5,491 | $ 13,591 | $ 19,082 |
| 2” | $ 11,125 | $ 27,536 | $ 38,661 |
Multi-Family and Non-Residential:
| SAF Meter Size
(inches) |
Water System Availability Fee | Sewer System Availability Fee | Total System Availability Fee |
| 1” or smaller | $ 1,282 | $ 3,173 | $ 4,455 |
| 1”x1.25” | $ 2,047 | $ 5,066 | $ 7,113 |
| 1.5” | $ 5,491 | $ 13,591 | $ 19,082 |
| 2” | $ 11,125 | $ 27,536 | $ 38,661 |
| 3” | $ 32,500 | $ 80,442 | $ 112,942 |
| 4” | $ 83,388 | $ 206,394 | $ 289,782 |
| 6” | $ 229,246 | $ 567,408 | $ 796,654 |
| 8” | $ 229,246 | $ 567,408 | $ 796,654 |
| 8”x2” | $ 229,246 | $ 567,408 | $ 796,654 |
| 8”x4”x1” | $ 229,246 | $ 567,408 | $ 796,654 |
| 10” | $ 229,246 | $ 567,408 | $ 796,654 |
| 12” | $ 229,246 | $ 567,408 | $ 796,654 |
| 16” | $ 229,246 | $ 567,408 | $ 796,654 |
If the new meter is replacing an old meter, the SAF will be based upon the net change (you will be given credit for the usage of the old meter as long as the old meter was active within 12 months prior).
Until December 31, 2019, one can apply to have the SAF paid in 4 installments over the course of a year.