Water and Wastewater Rates and Service Charges

The Lincoln Water and Wastewater System is a utility and does not receive City General Fund tax dollars. The income derived from rates pays for the maintenance and other costs involved in operating the two utility systems. In addition, a portion of this income is invested in Lincoln’s future through water and wastewater system improvements.

2025/26 Water & Wastewater Rates Brochure (PDF, 4MB)

Why the Water and Wastewater Service Charges?

The Water Service Charge helps cover billing, meter services, and ensures water is always ready when you need it – including for fire protection.

The Wastewater Service Charge helps cover essential services like sewer maintenance and billing.

The charges are based on your meter size and supports a system built to serve every home and business in Lincoln.

Water Meter Size 2025/26 Water Monthly Service Charge 2025/26 Wastewater Monthly Service Charge
5/8 inch $9.89 $4.90
5/8 x 3/4 inch $14.94 n/a
3/4 inch $14.94 $9.51
1 inch $24.94 $16.93
1 1/2 inch $49.74 $33.56
2 inch $79.59 $53.75
3 inch $149.32 $100.96
4 inch $248.91 $168.40
6 inch $497.72 $336.49
8 inch $796.38 $538.44
10 inch $1,144.86 $774.25

Wastewater Fees: How They Work

Residential Customers

Your wastewater fee is based on your winter water use, when outdoor watering is minimal. This means you are only charged for water that goes into the sewer system – not what is used for lawns, gardens, or summer cooling.

The wastewater rate is based on a flat fee of $2.747 per unit and is the same for all customers.

Benefit

Your fee stays the same year-round, helping you save during high-use summer months.

Non-Residential Customers

Wastewater charges are based on actual monthly water use, reflecting real-time demand.

Some industries may also pay a surcharge for high-strength waste, depending on the type of discharge.

Smart Water Use = Smart Savings

Residential Customers

Lincoln’s residential water rates use a block rate structure – the more water you use, the more each unit costs. Staying in the lower blocks means lower rates and more savings towards your bill.

Water is billed in units (1 unit = 748 gallons), and most residential customers are billed every 60 days.

Price Blocks $2.023/​unit $2.876/​unit $4.374/​unit
Monthly 1-8 units next 15 units all additional units
Bi-monthly 1-16 units next 30 units all additional units

Non-Residential Customers

Most businesses use a steady amount of water year-round, making their usage easier to predict.

Because of this usage, a separate rate structure was created specifically for nonresidential customers. Customers with higher water use fall into a separate tier with different pricing to reflect their greater demand on the system.

Price Blocks $2.023/​unit $2.876/​unit
Monthly 1-80 units all additional units
Bi-monthly 1-160 units all additional units

Find Out More

Find detailed information about projects, customer support, and answers to our most frequently asked questions–all in one place at lincoln.ne.gov/LTU.

Go green and save time–enroll in AutoPay and Paperless Billing today at lincoln.ne.gov/WaterPayment.

Rate Survey

In November 2025, Lincoln Water System completed a rate survey. The rates below reflect a typical residential monthly bill based on a 3/4" meter and an average usage of 10 units (7,480 gallons), including both the service charge and per-unit rate.

Water

Local

  • Beatrice, NE $30.75
  • Lincoln, NE $35.17
  • Waverly, NE $35.48
  • Nebraska City, NE $37.54
  • Hickman, NE $47.80
  • Rural Water District #1 $50.37
  • York, NE $54.81
  • Seward, NE $54.91
  • Bennet, NE $74.70

Regional

  • Lincoln, NE $35.17
  • Omaha, NE $42.51
  • Wichita, KS $52.41
  • Springfield, MO $55.15
  • Cedar Rapids, IA $59.26
  • Des Moines, IA $54.50

Wastewater

Local

  • Lincoln, NE $36.98
  • Nebraska City, NE $51.52
  • Bennet, NE $68.88
  • Beatrice, NE $72.79
  • Waverly, NE $72.79
  • Seward, NE $73.72
  • Hickman, NE $82.90
  • York, NE $83.87

Regional

  • Lincoln, NE $36.98
  • Cedar Rapids, IA $43.45
  • Wichita, KS $44.91
  • Springfield, MO $55.10
  • Des Moines, IA $73.28
  • MO River WW (Omaha) $84.57

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