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Resident challenges Milton’s water base charge after meter size change; council, staff offer options
Summary
A Milton resident told the council his household’s base water charge rose from $40 to about $147 after a 3/4‑inch meter was replaced with a 1‑inch meter; staff said the size is sometimes required for large service or sprinkler systems and offered to work with the resident on a meter swap; council discussed whether to revisit the 2023 rate study.
Milton, Wash. — During public comment at the June 2 Milton City Council meeting, resident Clay Howard said his household’s monthly base water rate jumped from $40 to “almost a hundred and 47” after moving into a house with a 1‑inch meter, a change he said increased the base charge by 270% even though his water use did not increase.
“My new home has a 1 inch meter instead of a 3 quarter inch meter, And that 1 change raised our monthly base water rate from $40 to almost a hundred and 47, which is a 270% increase. Just because of the meter size, not our actual usage,” Howard told the council.
Howard said he and his wife reviewed the city’s 2023 water rate study and compared base charges across 15 nearby public water utilities; he said most neighboring utilities increase base charges for a 1‑inch meter by roughly 50%–60%, while Milton’s increase is an outlier. He cited the American Water Works Association M1 manual as industry guidance for equitable, cost‑based rate design.
Council member White thanked Howard for the data and asked whether the city’s cost of service differs by meter size. Director Madden (city staff) explained that larger meters have a higher material cost (a one‑time expense) and that the city historically used meter‑based base charges in part to encourage conservation. Madden said typical residential needs usually do not require a 1‑inch meter unless there is a large house, an in‑home sprinkler system or a multifamily service.
As a potential remedy, staff told the council one practical solution is to downgrade a meter to 3/4‑inch if the property does not require the larger meter. “A potential solution is to downgrade or reduce the size of the meter. If it’s truly not needed, we'd be happy to swap that out for a 3 quarter inch,” staff said; council members described the physical replacement cost as minimal.
Council member White suggested a more comprehensive response could require an updated rate study and a council commitment of funds to reexamine the city’s 2023 study. White said Milton’s base rate for a 1‑inch meter appears “way out of line with the market” and asked staff to provide justification for the current structure. Director Madden said the city also uses usage tiers for higher‑volume customers and that staff would continue to work with the Howards to identify an immediate fix.
Howard asked that the council consider whether the 1‑inch base rate is “truly equitable, cost justified, and in line with others cities are doing.” Council members and staff agreed to follow up; staff indicated they had been working with the Howards and would continue to respond to their questions.
No formal council action or ordinance was taken during the meeting on water rates; staff described the matter as an operational billing issue and indicated they would pursue individual customer options and, if council directs, a broader rate review.
