Show All Answers

1. Why is there a $125 "No Read Fee" on my bill?

We are unable to obtain a read from your water meter. Most likely, the transmitter device that allows us to read your meter remotely is no longer working. Please contact Utility Billing at 651-638-2129 to schedule an appointment for us to fix the issue.

The appointment should only take about 30 minutes and the $125 No Read Fee will be removed if the appointment is completed within 6 months.

2. How is my meter read?

Meter reads are obtained by a radio remote that communicates with a collection antenna, which will send water usage information through the internet without needing to access your property.

The City switched to the radio remote method meters in the fall of 2018 and has nearly replaced all meters as of 2022.

3. What are the utility billing payment options?

The City of New Brighton offers a variety of options to pay your utility bill. Please see the Payment Options page for details.

4. What are the utility rates for 2023?

Following is the 2023 mixed rate plan for quarterly utility bills, effective January 1, 2023:

Single-Family, Two-Family, and Townhome Residential Properties:

• Water: $4.02 per 1,000 gallons
• Sewer: $5.52 per 1,000 gallons
• Street Lights: $11.94 per quarter (see note)
• Storm Water: $21.31 per quarter (see note)
• Recycling: $9.93 per quarter

The flat rate quarterly charge, which includes up to 8,000 gallons, is $32.16 for water and $44.16 for sewer.

Note: Street Light and Stormwater rates are billed per lot for single and two-family properties, and per unit for townhome properties.

All Other Properties:

• Water: $5.19 per 1,000 gallons
• Sewer: $7.49 per 1,000 gallons
• Street Lights: $35.82 per quarter
• Storm Water:
  • Park, cemetery, golf course: $5.84 per acre per quarter
  • School: $63.63 per acre per quarter
  • Mobile home park: $86.52 per acre per quarter
  • Church: $118.55 per acre per quarter
  • Apartment, condominium, senior housing: $141.25 per acre per quarter
  • Commercial, industrial, and warehouse: $264.75 per acre per quarter
  • Unimproved, vacant land: $0 per acre per quarter

The flat rate quarterly charge, which includes up to 8,000 gallons, is $41.52 for water and $59.92 for sewer.

5. When is the winter quarter for my billing district? (Residential properties only)

The City bills residential sewer usage based on the winter quarter billing method. The winter quarter is used to establish sewer charges through the rest of the year because it provides a fair measure of normal usage and avoids seasonal factors such as lawn sprinkling.

The City is divided into three billing districts. The first digit of your account number determines your billing district.

District Number	Winter Quarter
1	November through January
2	December through February
3	January through March

6. How do I start or stop service?

It is important to note that the utility charges are the responsibility of the property owner no matter who is living there. It is a good idea to make sure any past due utility charges are addressed by your title company or real estate agent.

When buying or selling a home in New Brighton, notify us of the change by using the moving form or calling the Finance Department at 651-638-2101. A final meter reading will be scheduled on or near the closing date. Once the final read is taken, a final bill will be processed for the former owner. After this bill has been prepared, the new owner's information will be added to the account. If it is a new home, the Utility Billing staff will make sure the account is created and the billing started.

7. When can I water my lawn?

New Brighton's water restriction program has different levels and the level of the ban will be based on daily water usage monitored by the city, a ten-day weather forecast, pumping capacity and other factors.

While the green level ban is in place, New Brighton residents using municipal water are restricted to an odd/even watering ban. Residents of even-numbered homes may water only on even-numbered days of the month. Residents of odd-numbered homes may water only on odd-numbered days of the month.

While the yellow level ban is in place, New Brighton residents using municipal water are still restricted to an odd/even watering ban. However, a time-of-day watering ban is also enacted, prohibiting watering from 6 am to 9 pm each day. In addition, New Brighton residents are prohibited from filling swimming pools and residential car washing. Water monitors are actively deployed and violators are ticketed.

While the red level ban is in place, all outdoor water use is prohibited, including all sprinkling and watering, filling swimming pools and residential car washing. Water monitors are actively deployed and violators are ticketed.

8. Why did I get a letter saying my utilities will be certified to my taxes?

Certification occurs when a resident has a balance over $100 that is 90 days or more overdue. Certifications are processed in June and November. This amount is removed from the property owner's water bill and sent to Ramsey County. Ramsey County will add this amount, in addition to a penalty charge, to the property taxes. Once certified, any payment that an owner would like to have applied to the certified amount must be paid directly to Ramsey County.

9. How can I tell if I have a water leak?

The best way to determine if you have a leak is to turn off all faucets, showers, dishwashers, or anything that uses water. Read the meter, then wait 30 minutes and read it again. If the reading on the meter increased, you may have a leak and will need to contact a plumber.

10. How can I reduce my water usage?

The best way to keep your utility costs down is to conserve water.

Here are some suggestions on how:

In the Bathroom

• Take shorter showers.
• Install water-saving shower heads.
• Turn off water while brushing your teeth.
• Check your toilets for leaks.

In the Kitchen

• Keep a bottle of drinking water in the refrigerator. This ends the wasteful practice of running tap water to cool it for drinking.
• If you wash dishes by hand, don't leave the water running for rinsing. If you have two sinks, fill one with soapy water and the other with rinse water.
• Check faucets and pipes for leaks. Many leaks can be repaired with inexpensive washers.

General Household

• Be sure your outside faucets are turned off after they are used.
• Check your water softener to be sure it is not leaking or generating more than it should be.

Lawn Sprinkling

• Water deeply and infrequently - 3/4 of an inch to 1 inch of water per week will maintain a green lawn.
• Don't overwater - Water applied beyond the needs of the grass and holding capacity of the soil moves down out of the root zone of the grass, where it cannot be used by the lawn.
• Don't scalp your lawn - Mow the lawn 2 to 3 inches above the soil line but remove no more than 40% of the height of the grass.
• Let your lawn go dormant - This will save money and mowing time. If you choose to do this, don't fertilize your lawn in the spring. Gradually decrease water application as July approaches then apply 1/4 of an inch to 1/2 of an inch of water every two to three weeks. Shorten the interval if you have sandy soil.

11. How do I know if I'm signed up for Automatic Clearing House (ACH) Autopay?

The bottom portion of your bill will read, “Autopay – Do Not Pay”.