Potable water service charges are comprised of three elements: the Readiness-to-Serve Charge, the Commodity Charge, and the Elevation Charge. 

Readiness-to-Serve Charge 

The Readiness-to-Serve charge is a monthly flat fee that recovers a portion of expenses incurred in maintaining the distribution system, providing fire protection, and processing customer activity. 

The readiness-to-serve charge is based on the size of the meter serving the property (Refer to the chart below.)

Commodity Charges 

Commodity charges recover the cost of acquiring and delivering water to each customer class.  The commodity charge is based on the volume of water delivered to a customer during a monthly billing period. The commodity charge is expressed in "billing units" of 100 cubic feet; a single billing unit is equal to 748 gallons.  (Refer to the charts below.) The below tiers are unique to each customer and are determined based on a number of different factors.  More information on Water Budgets can be found linked below.

Single- / Multi-Family Residential Commodity Charge

These rates include a $0.92 pass through charge by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California which will show up on a customer’s bill

Commercial Commodity Charge

These rates include a $0.92 pass through charge by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California which will show up on a customer’s bill.

Irrigation Commodity Charge

Applies only to service connections used exclusively for irrigation.

These rates include a $0.92 pass through charge by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California which will show up on a customer’s bill.

Elevation Charges

Elevation Charges cover the additional costs of infrastructure and power to pump water to higher locations, billing differs by zone, with customers at higher elevations paying higher costs per unit of water. Most district customers are located in zones 1 and 2. Elevation charges are determined by the highest elevation the water is pumped to prior to reaching the residence.   

Zone 1, includes all domestic water customers receiving water that does not require pumping above a hydraulic gradient of 1235 feet.

Zone 2, includes all domestic water customers receiving water that requires pumping to elevations between 1235 and 1700 feet.

Zone 3, includes all domestic water customers receiving water that requires pumping to elevations between 1700 and 2200 feet; includes all domestic water customers who are served water purchased by the District from sources other than the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

Zone 4, includes all domestic water customers receiving water that requires pumping to elevations greater than 2200 feet.

Readiness to Serve Charge (monthly)

A "readiness to serve" covers costs associated with meter maintenance and replacement, meter reading, billing and customer service. 

Commodity Charge (monthly)

The below tiers are unique to each customer and are determined based on a number of different factors.  More information on Water Budgets can be found linked below.

Elevation Charge

Customers connected to the LVMWD sewer system are charged a monthly service fee for administrative services, and the collection, treatment, and disposal of sewage.

Sanitation service charges are based on the number of people in your household for both single and multi-family customers.

Commercial charges are determined by flow and strength. Call Customer Service (818) 251-2100 for more information. 

Sanitation Charge - Residential Single/Multi-Family

(Rates effective January 1, 2026)

Sanitation Charges - Commercial

(Rates effective January 1, 2026)

Capacity Fee Structure 2024

Las Virgenes Municipal Water District has adopted changes to its capacity fee structures effective July 1, 2024 that will affect:

• New Potable Water Service Connection Fees
• New Sanitation (sewer) Service Connection Fees

Capacity fees typically apply to new construction but in some cases, could apply to existing structures, such as those that convert to a larger water meter or switch from an onsite wastewater treatment system by connecting to the LVMWD sewer system.

Capacity fees reflect the joining entity’s share for the infrastructure costs that were built to serve the new connection.

Readiness-to-Serve Charge 

The Readiness-to-Serve charge is a monthly flat fee that recovers a portion of expenses incurred in maintaining the distribution system, providing fire protection, and processing customer activity. 

The readiness-to-serve charge is based on the size of the meter serving the property.

How do LVMWD’s rates compare with those of nearby agencies?

The charts below compare current water, sanitation (sewer) and combined water & sewer bills for the “average” LVMWD residential customer. 

We strive to work with our customers to maintain uninterrupted water service. A customer has 60 days from the due date to pay their bill before their service is disconnected.

If you are having trouble paying your bill for any reason, please contact our Customer Service team at 818-251-2200.

Procedures for fees and disconnections

1. Customers that pay their bills within 20 days of the billing date will be considered on-time.
2. If payment is not received within 20 days, a notice will be sent to the customer’s address, and an additional 5% fee will be assessed. The customer will have an additional two weeks to pay their bill.
3. If payment has not been received 56 days from the due date, the Customer Service department will attempt to call the customer by phone.
4. If payment has still not been received 58 days from the due date, a door tag with a 72-hour notice of disconnection will be delivered to the customer and a $115 penalty fee will be assessed.   
5. Customers have a 72-hour window from this point to complete their payment to avoid disconnection.
6. If payment has not been received after the 72-hour window, LVMWD will disconnect water service until payment is resolved.