Water

Water consumption charges are calculated based on the amount of water used as indicated by the meter. One unit of water is equivalent to 748 gallons or 100 cubic feet (HCF). We distinguish the rate to be charged per unit of consumption with a two-tier system. Each tier has a different rate. The first tier is $2.05 per unit of consumption and the second tier is $2.35 per unit of consumption.

Everyone begins on tier one and is charged at that rate until they exceed the number of units allowed at that rate. For single family residential and master-metered single family residential, the first 13 units are charged at the first tier and any additional units are charged at the second tier. Multi-family and manufactured homes are given 7 units of consumption per dwelling unit at the first tier and any additional usage at the second tier.

Consumption Calculations

1 unit = 748 gallons -or- 100 cubic feet (HCF)

Example:
20 units = 14,960 gallons -or- 2000 cubic feet (HCF)

The water meter, located at the service address, is read each month by professional and courteous field representatives. Every effort is made to ensure accuracy and timeliness, but as with any human endeavor, errors may occur. We therefore are happy to go back out and check the meter reading on any account for which the billing appears erroneous or atypical of the service history.

SDCWA Infrastructure Access Charge

The SDCWA Infrastructure Access Charge is a pass-through charge from San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA) to finance projected fixed annual costs including the construction, operation, and maintenance of aqueducts and the Emergency Storage Project.  This fixed monthly charge is based on meter size.

SDCWA Surcharge

SDCWA Surcharge is a pass-through charge from the San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA) established in 2002 to recover annual increases in the cost of water.  The surcharge is based on the amount of water used each month.

MWD Readiness-To-Serve Charge

MWD Readiness-To-Serve charge is a pass-through charge from Metropolitan Water District (MWD) to recover the cost of the portion of system capacity that is on standby to provide emergency service and operational flexibility.  The readiness-to-serve charge finances MWD infrastructure projects and is a monthly fee based on meter size.

Clean Water

Clean water is consumption-related charge that finances compliance with state-mandated requirements to reduce and/or eliminate discharge into the storm drain system.  The fee pays for the cleaning, repair, and maintenance of the city's storm drain system and is based on the amount of water used each month. 

Sewer

There are two components to sewer charges, the sewer service charge and the sewer flow charge. The sewer service charge recoups the costs for system maintenance and replacement, materials and supplies, equipment, energy costs and customer account management. The sewer flow charge recoups the costs for collection and treatment of sewer flow.

The sewer service charge is a fixed charge based on the size of the water meter. The larger the water meter, the larger the potential impact to the sewer system.

The sewer flow charge is based on a percentage of water used. Calculation of the sewer flow charge is dependent on account classification.

Single-Family Residential sewer flow charges are based on a winter quarter average (WQA). The WQA calculation is 95% of the average of the two lowest water consumptions from November through April. The reason for using November through April is that during the winter months outside irrigation is reduced, so most of the water used is impacting the sewer system. This method encourages conservation and gives the customer a chance to reduce their sewer charge.

Sewer Flow	Flow Rate	Winter Quarter Average
Low Sewer Flow	$13.70	0 - 5 units
Medium Sewer Flow	$29.53	6 - 10 units
High Sewer Flow	$57.63	11 and above units

The following is an example showing how to calculate your sewer flow:

In this example, your account would be billed for the medium sewer flow charge from July 1 to June 30.

***New Accounts will automatically default to an average of 7 units (Medium Sewer Flow) since they have not yet established a winter quarter average. However, if a new account has two consecutive full monthly consumptions that are 5 units or under, and are within the first three billing periods, we will place that new account into the Low Sewer Flow category. The customer will need to call our office to notify us of the low consumption.

Master-Metered Single-Family Residential and Manufactured Home sewer flow charges are based upon the number of residential units at the location. The fixed monthly charge is multiplied by the number of residential units to calculate the sewer flow charge.

Multi-Family Residential sewer flow charges are based on the amount of water used during the billing period. Accounts with a separate irrigation meter are billed 90% of water use at a rate determined by sewer strength. Accounts without a separate irrigation meter are billed 75% of water use. For this classification, State standards for sewer strength are applied.

Non-Residential sewer flow charges are based on the amount of water used during the billing period. Accounts are billed 90% of water use at a rate that is determined by sewer strength. The sewer strength categories are determined by State standards and are classified as follows:

• Low
• Medium
• Medium High
• High
• Institutional
• Industrial/Special Users
• Temporary Lodging

Each category has a different rate and represents a group of users with similar sewer strengths. Upon initiating an account, the account is placed in one of the categories based on the type of activity at the location.

City Waste

City waste service is the monthly charge to cover the following:

• Removal of refuse from public property
• Clean-up of public parks and beaches
• Maintenance and operation of two landfills
• Bi-weekly street sweeping (public streets only)

The monthly charge depends on whether the service address is on a public or private street. Private streets are not swept and therefore there is no charge.

• $3.77 monthly (public streets)
• $3.55 monthly (private streets)

Contract Trash

Waste Management of North County has had a contract with the City of Oceanside since August of 1994 to provide contract trash services to the residential, multi-family and commercial customers within the city limits. As the contractor, they provide trash services for which the City of Oceanside bills on their monthly statement.

Single Unit Residential Premise means any building or structure in the city which is used for residential housing purposes. The following contract trash services will be provided:

• Curbside pickup of solid waste
• Recyclable materials
• Green waste collection
• Storm drain cleaning

The standard size container for residential services shall not exceed thirty-five gallons. The combined weight of the container and contents shall not exceed fifty pounds. The number of containers collected cannot exceed twelve at any one time. Containers should not be damaged or have jagged or sharp edges. Regular curbside pickup will be once a week. Recyclable materials include newsprint, glass, aluminum and steel cans, and plastic containers. These materials should be sorted and then placed in the recycling containers provided by Waste Management of North County (760) 439-2824. Green waste means biodegradable yard waste such as leaves, grass and wood materials from trees and shrubs. Waste Management provides a separate container for green waste only.

Waste Management provides several special services. These include bulky household item pickup, Citywide Spring and Fall clean-up events, and Christmas tree pickups. For more information on these services please call (760) 439-2824, or visit their website northcounty.wm.com/oceanside/oceanside.asp.