Water, Stormwater & Sewer Service Charges
OUR MOST ESSENTIAL RESOURCE
WATER RATE INFORMATION
Greater Cincinnati Water Works (GCWW) has been at the forefront of water treatment technology for many years. Maintaining state-of-the-art treatment is crucial to providing customers with the highest quality water. Your water bills pay to keep your tap water safe, reliable, and available whenever you need it.
The safety of the water you drink has always been our highest priority. We constantly monitor water quality, adjust treatment processes, and implement new technologies to maintain our high standards. Our water main repair and replacement program keeps a plentiful supply of water flowing to customers’ homes, businesses, and the fire hydrants that guard them.
On January 1, 2026, a 5.55% Water Rate Increase went into effect for Greater Cincinnati Water Works customers. While no one wants to see rates go up, GCWW has kept water rates among the lowest in the region.
We’re Still Lower & Safer!
In addition to our rates being among the lowest in the region (as shown in the charts below), GCWW takes many steps to ensure the quality and safety of your water before it reaches your tap. Our priority is safe drinking water. GCWW is proud to say that our water meets or exceeds all health standards established by both the USEPA and the Ohio EPA. On average, we perform 600 tests a day while treating and providing an average of 122 million gallons of the highest-quality drinking water to more than 1.1 million people in parts of Hamilton, Butler, Warren, and Clermont Counties in Ohio, and in Boone County, Kentucky.
THE COST OF YOUR WATER
Please note that the rate information in these tables below applies only to water, and that the rate change does not affect any other utility charges that appear separately on customers’ bills. The water service charges in the Tables include the fire hydrant maintenance fee for customers inside Cincinnati.
RESIDENTIAL - GCWW residential water customers are billed monthly and can estimate their water bill utilizing Tables 1 and 2. The water cost is calculated based on your meter size (Water Service Charges) and the amount of water you use (Water Commodity Charges).
For example, beginning January 1, 2026, a single-family residential household located in the city with a 5/8” meter, using 8.3 CCF per month (6,230 gallons) would pay a monthly service charge of $9.26. The water commodity or usage charge would be $3.86 per CCF, or $32.04 per month ($3.86 × 8.33 CCF). The total monthly water bill would be $41.30, with an annual cost of $495.60, or about $1.36 per day.
MASON - Mason residential and commercial customers are billed monthly and can estimate their water bill using the Table below. The water cost is based on the amount of water you use per month, whether you are a residential or commercial customer.
For example, beginning January 1, 2026, a single-family household using 8.3 CCF per month (6,208 gallons) would pay a monthly water bill of $46.65 ($20.364 for the first 2 CCF + $4.173 times 6.3 CCF). The annual cost for water would be $559.85 or about $1.53 per day.
Please note that the rates in the table apply only to Mason water. Sewer charges appear separately on the customer’s bill. For information on Mason Sewer rate changes, please visit www.imaginemason.org/services/utilities/utility-fees.
Our cost-reduction efforts have kept costs for large commercial and industrial customers among the lowest in the region. Based on the example cited previously for a single-family household using 8.3 CCF per month, the monthly water bill increases by 5.55% per day.
Monthly Water Costs for the Average Single-Family Household
Water Utility/Cost per Month 8.33 CCF *Includes fire hydrant fee. Rates effective January 1, 2026.
COMMERCIAL- Commercial and industrial customers can estimate their monthly water bill by utilizing Tables 1 and 2. The water cost is calculated based on your meter size (Water Service Charges) and the amount of water you use (Water Commodity Charges).
For example, beginning January 1, 2026, a large commercial or industrial user located in the city with a 3” meter, using 450 CCF per month (336,600 gallons) would pay a monthly service charge of $100.21. The water commodity or usage charge would be $1,397.50 per month ($3.86 times 20 CCF + $3.25 times 430 CCF). The total monthly water bill would be $1,574.91, with the annual cost totaling $18,898.92, or about $51.78 per day. For small commercial establishments with a meter size of less than three inches, please see the “RESIDENTIAL Water Rate Information” above to calculate your estimated monthly water bill.
Monthly Equivalent Water Costs for the Average Commercial Customer
Water Utility/Cost per Month 450 CCF *Includes fire hydrant fee. Rates effective January 1, 2026.
FIRE PROTECTION - Fire Protection customers can estimate their monthly water bill using Tables 1 and 2. The water cost is calculated based on the size of your branch (Water Service Charges) and the amount of water you use (Water Commodity Charges).
For example, beginning January 1, 2026, a fire protection user located in the city with a 3” branch, using 450 CCF per month (336,600 gallons) would pay a monthly service charge of $30.70. The water commodity or usage charge would be $1,723.50 per month ($3.83 × 450 CCF). The total monthly fire protection bill would be $1,754.20. As fire protection water usage is likely only occurring during a fire event or testing, the annual costs will be variable.
Please note that the rates in these tables apply only to fire protection, and that the 2026 rate change does not affect any other utility charges that appear separately on customers’ bills.
Need help calculating your charges? We’re here to help! Visit www.myGCWW.org or call Customer Service at 513.591.7700. Office hours are 7:30 am – 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday.
Want to go behind-the-scenes and learn more about Greater Cincinnati Water Works history, billing, your rates, treatment processes, meter reading, and more? Register today for the Citizens Water Academy at WaterAcademy.mygcww.org!
View Printable PDF archives of Greater Cincinnati Water Works (GCWW), Stormwater Management Utility (SMU), and Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) rate updates and service charges, below: