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Competitiveness and Value

MCES strives to keep wastewater rates below the national average for similar-sized utilities. MCES also contributes to the economic vitality of the region through quality and cost-effective wastewater utility management.

The map below compares Metropolitan (Twin Cities) retail rates (city rates which include MCES's wholesale charges) to other publicly owned treatment systems around the country. Information is from the 2005 National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) Financial Survey, and compares average annual retail rates (included on the map are all agencies that treat more than 100 mgd and reported their rates to NACWA).

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MCES's Municipal Wastewater Wholesale Charges

Compare the Value

When compared to other household service costs, the Twin Cities average retail charge for sewer service is a bargain. The following graph shows average household costs per month.

Sources:

1. Wireless Phone - $50 - National average per Star Tribune article dated 12/9/04.
2. Natural Gas - $80 - Minnesota average per May 2005 study by Fisher, Shoehan & Colton titled On the Brink: The Home Energy Affordability Gap.
3. Electric - $57 - Minnesota average per May 2005 study by Fisher, Shoehan & Colton titled On the Brink: The Home Energy Affordability Gap.
4. Cable TV - $50 - Comcast's standard cable package (in April 2005), including taxes and fees.
5. Phone - $23 - Qwest's rate for basic telephone service (in April 2005) including taxes and fees.
6. Water Supply - $17 - Combined average charge for Minneapolis and St. Paul in 2003 (80,000 gallons/household/year). Rates for most Twin Cities suburbs are lower than this.
7. Trash - $21 - Waste Management's and Walters' average monthly rate in 2005 for residential 64 gallon garbage service including taxes and fees).
8. Sewer Service - $16 - Average retail rate per household in the Twin Cities metropolitan area in 2006. MCES receives a portion (about 70% on average) of this amount, with the remaining going to the community.

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Contact:

Dan Schueller

Phone (651)602-1624

Email dan.schueller@metc.state.mn.us

More information on MCES charges