The City of Boise sewer is the system of over 1000 miles of pipes that transport used water from homes and businesses to the city’s water renewal facilities. The Public Works Department designs, maintains and repairs Boise’s sewer system, ensuring reliability to keep our city clean and safe.
Residential and commercial buildings must connect to the sewer system. Fees paid to the city for connection to the sewer system generally consist of two major components, connection fees and assessment fees. These fees purchase capacity in the city’s water renewal and sewer systems and recover the cost of public water renewal infrastructure. The cost to complete the physical connection from the building to the edge of the right of way is not included in this connection fee.
All new and expanding water renewal customers are required to pay a connection fee to connect their property to the city’s water renewal system. Connection fees are usually a one-time payment comprised of two parts: trunk fees and treatment fees. Your connection fee reserves space in the city’s water renewal system for cleaning used water.
For questions about connection fees, please contact sewer rating or call 208-608-7150.
Assessment fees are a one-time payment to the city for construction of a sewer pipe in the roadway plus the service line to the edge of the right-of-way. Assessment fees are usually only required for properties that have never been developed or have never connected to the sewer system. This fee is based on the average cost to construct pipes and manholes, restore pavement and process permits, designs, surveys and inspections of the project.
Not all properties will need to pay an assessment fee because they may already have an existing sewer line built up to the right of way ready for connection. If you are building on an existing lot which is being split, building on a previously undeveloped lot or connecting an existing building to sanitary sewer, the assessment component of the connection fees will likely be required.
The City of Boise Water Renewal utility is updating rates and fees to reflect the current cost of sewer and water renewal treatment infrastructure. Connection fee adjustments begin October 1, 2024, with phasing to full cost of service over the next three years and regular updates thereafter. These connection fee changes, outlined below, will affect development costs for residential dwelling units and commercial facilities that are new or are increasing water usage.
Upcoming Engagement Opportunities
If you are building on undeveloped land, please contact sewer rating or call (208) 608-7150 for more information.
Residential and Commercial Connection Fee Changes
Residential connection fees apply to new or expanding single family homes, multi-family units and accessory dwelling units. Commercial connection fees apply to new commercial development or expansion of existing commercial facilities. Changes to residential and commercial connection fees will go into effect on October 1, 2024, the first day of fiscal year 2025 (FY2025).
Changes to connection fees beginning October 1, 2024:
Sanitary sewers are constructed in conjunction with Ada County Highway District (ACHD) projects, based on the needs of the property owner, or if there is evidence of significant septic system problems. City approval is based on the number of residents signing a petition agreeing to pay fees and connect, the cost and length of the sewer extension and is subject to funds being available. Contact Sewer Extensions or call (208) 608-7150 for more information.
For information on design requirements, please call (208) 608-7150.
For information on connection fees and / or extensions, please call (208) 608-7150.
For complaints related to sewer odor, line back-ups or construction related issues, please report online or call (208) 608-7200.
For sewer back-ups, line breaks or construction issues, call (208) 608-7200.
Thank you for your interest in Public Works. Please fill out the form below and a representative will be in touch with you.
