Wastewater rate increase

A wastewater rate increase was approved by City Council and goes into effect on October 1, 2024.

The City of Sedona wastewater department has experienced an increase in operating costs in wastewater collections and treatment. Price increases in materials, operating supplies, labor, contracted work, and lab testing have resulted in a 22% increase over the last 6 years. In addition to inflationary cost increases, repairs and/or upgrades to aging infrastructure and additional regulatory requirements have resulted in higher operating costs.

With a goal to be a self-sustaining enterprise fund, relying on wastewater rate payers to fund both operations and capital improvements to the wastewater utility, a rate increase is necessary. The last rate increase was in 2017. A rate study in 2019 resulted in a restructuring of capacity fees, but monthly rates have not been evaluated. The completion of a comprehensive rate study is planned for fiscal year 2025. In an effort to start to keep up with inflationary factors, after several years of no increases, a proposed 3.6% CPI increase is recommended.

Wastewater rate increase timeline:

• August 13, 2024 - This item was approved by the City Council at their regular meeting.
• October 1, 2024 - The new wastewater rate will go into effect.
• October 31, 2024 - The new wastewater rate will appear on your bill.

Customers set-up with autopay are encouraged to adjust the amount owed before October 1, 2024, whether through Xpress bill pay or through their bank.

Review rate changes on this Wastewater Rate Chart 2024.

For reference, you may compare Wastewater Cash Flows for 2022 and 2023.

Sedona's wastewater system

The wastewater system comprises wastewater collection, treatment and management of the effluents and solids resulting from the treatment process. Pumps, manholes, and pipes are the components of the collection system used to transport wastewater from homes and businesses to the facility located about five miles west of the city.

The facility uses basins, pumps, pipes and ultraviolet lights in its treatment process, which is called an activated sludge process. This is a biological process that speeds decomposition of wastes using natural means instead of chemicals, producing effluent (liquid) and sludge (solids). Management of these products involves the use of drying beds, centrifuges, reservoirs, wetlands, and spray irrigation to return the water to the environment.

Aquifer recharge

The city returns high quality effluent to the aquifer via injection wells.  The treated wastewater that the city injects is A+ quality. The city conducts daily tests on the treated wastewater to ensure it meets the standards for A+quality. Learn more about the why and how of aquifer recharge (PDF).

Inspection and maintenance

To reduce the possibility of spills or overflows of untreated sewerage, the city cleans and inspects 150,000 feet of sewer lines on an annual basis, and examines the cleaned lines using a small TV camera.