Sewer Connection Fees

What do sewer fees cover?

In general there are two major components of fees paid to the city prior to connection to the sanitary sewer system: the connection (capacity) fee and the assessment fee.

The connection (capacity) fee is made up, depending on your geographical location, of two to three major components including the trunk fee, the treatment fee and the interceptor fee. Each of these fees is paid by both new and existing development at the time of connection.

• Trunk fee - Designed to recover the cost of over-sizing sewers to accommodate large geographical areas and to recover a portion of the cost of the sewers in existing neighborhoods.
• Treatment fee - Designed to recover the capital cost of constructing treatment facilities.
• Interceptor fee - For properties in the Southwest Sewer Planning Area south of the freeway and west of the airport, this fee is designed to recover the cost of constructing a 42-inch diameter, five mile long interceptor sewer from Overland Road and Cloverdale Road to the West Boise Treatment Facility located below Hewlett-Packard.

Commercial connection (capacity) fees for unmonitored users are calculated per plumbing fixture based on the estimated waste strength of the discharge and the amount of flow discharged. Monitored users pay fees based on actual monitored discharges.

The assessment fee is composed of the 8-inch equivalence fee and the 4 inch service line fee. The 8 inch equivalence fee is designed to recover a portion of the costs of actually constructing lines within your subdivision. This cost includes construction of pipe, manholes, pavement restoration, and permits as well as engineering costs including design, survey and inspection. The service line fee, included in the assessment, is designed to recover the cost of constructing the service line from the 8-inch main line to your property line. Your service line will be a 4-inch line for residential properties, commercial and multifamily are generally 6 inch or 8 inch service lines.

Not all properties will pay an assessment fee. New subdivisions are required to pay the assessment at the time of development and to construct sanitary sewers within the subdivision boundaries. Please contact Sewer Rating to determine your exact fees.

How do I find out what my fees are?

Call Sewer Rating at 208/384-3900 for sewer fee calculation and information regarding financing available.

When are my fees due?

All sewer fees are due prior to the completion of the physical connection or at the time building plans are picked up from either Boise City or Ada County.

Is there financing available for any of the city fees?

Financing is available for all existing structures for the trunk, treatment, interceptor, and assessment fees. The interest rate is based upon the Wall Street Journal Prime Rate at the time of execution of the financing agreement and the length of the agreement for residential properties can be up to 15 years. A $50 one time administrative fee and the first loan payment are due at the time of contract signing. Commercial connection fees and restaurant connection fees require a security instrument, a down-payment, a $250 administration fee and interest calculated at the Wall Street Journal Prime Rate plus 3%.

What will it cost for monthly sewer service fees once I’m connected?

Monthly sewer service fees are based on average winter water consumption as metered by your water company. If there are no water meters to determine the average water consumption for each of the homes, your monthly service bill will be determined in accordance with Boise City Code.

For more information, contact:
Sewer Rating
208/384-3900