UTILITIES

UTILITY PAYMENTS

Per Wisconsin State Statute §66.0809, if your October utility bill has a PREVIOUS BALANCE that is NOT paid by October 31st, it is subject to a 10% penalty.

If the previous balance, plus the penalty, is not paid by November 15th, the Utility may transfer that balance to your tax bill.

Payments should be made at City Hall 3805 S. Casper Drive, Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or they can be placed in the drop-off box outside of City Hall in the parking lot. 

See Payment and Billing Information for more details.


WATER RATE INFORMATION

Milwaukee Water Works (MMW) increased their rates for selling water to the New Berlin Water Utility (NBWU) by 3% in September 2019 and about 6.7% in April 2023.  In the past, when MWW would raise rates, the NBWU would petition the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) for a Purchase Water Adjustment; allowing NBWU to increase rates to cover the increased cost of purchased water.  In 2017, the PSC informed NBWU that any increases we needed to cover those costs would need a Conventional Rate Case (CRC).

Due to the two increases the NBWU has seen from MWW and increases in other operating and capital expenditures, the NBWU in June of 2023 petitioned the PSC for a CRC.  The increase is necessary due to an increase of 41.23 percent in gross plant investment, and a 16.87 percent increase in operating expenses since the last CRC was completed in 2009.  It has been 15 years since our last CRC, and 7 years since our last increase of water rates via a Purchase Water Adjustment in 2017.  The PSC must review the request, and makes the final determination on all NBWU rates.

The NBWU has tried to be as lean as possible while waiting for a big increase from MWW.  It is getting harder to get supplies and parts in a timely manner.  A rate increase will help the Water Utility have supplies and parts on hand to fix hydrants, and mains without being compromised or needing a lead time to order parts.  

The PSC made their final decision on January 16th, 2024. The PSC stated new rates will be effective starting April 1st, 2024. Customers will see the increase on their 2nd quarter bills. These bills are mailed out in July.

Please see the link below for the new rates.

Rates Effective 2024


WASTEWATER RATES

The Wastewater rates were raised in 2018 to combat the rising capital charges the wastewater was being charged for from Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewage District (MMSD).  The rate at which the capital charge from MMSD previously was increased dramatically slowed.  Amounts for the capital charge from MMSD have increased at 1.6% over the last 5 years.

Due to this lower-than-expected increase from MMSD, the Wastewater Utility lowered the Wastewater rates by 2.5% effective January 1, 2024.  This was done to help offset the increased costs from the new water rates.  The Wastewater portion of the quarterly bill for an average residential customer who uses 13,000 gallons of water will see a decrease from $198.04 to $193.09.

Please see the link in the Water Rate Information for the new rates.

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Please note, the Utility Office hours are currently 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.

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What Not to Flush

Just because something can be flushed down the toilet, does not mean it should be.  Toilet paper is specifically designed to break down in water.  Although paper towels, napkins, and facial tissue appear to be of the same material, they do not disintegrate in water the way toilet paper does.  These items can create costly clogs for both your home and our pipes.

Residents have started using common alternatives like wet wipes, paper towels, facial tissue, and cloth wipes as substitutes for bathroom toilet paper.  Many of these products are labeled as "Flushable", these alternative products do not degrade in water like toilet paper does and they can, and do plug sanitary sewer laterals, building/home drains, and sewer collection system mains when flushed down toilets.

Obstructions and clogs that occur in private sanitary sewer laterals or within residents building/home drains become the responsibility of the property owner.  Some laterals are cracked, displaced or have roots in them which make the use of these products even worse. These non-degradable wipes, paper towels, and personal hygiene products have to be removed from the sanitary sewer collection system/lift station pumps, which can cost the City and you, the system user, thousands of dollars.

To avoid future sanitary sewer clogs and backups, all residents and users of the sanitary sewer system are reminded to throw wipes, paper towels, tissue, and personal hygiene products in the trash and not flush them down the toilets.

In these extraordinary times, we all need to be respectful of how our actions impact our infrastructure, neighbors and Utility staff.

ITEMS THAT SHOULD NOT BE FLUSHED 

  • Baby wipes or cleaning wipes
  • Cotton balls and swabs
  • Tampons and sanitary products
  • Cat litter
  • Condoms                                                                 
  • Prescription medicines
  • Over the counter medicines
  • Tissue
  • Cigarette butts
  • Dental Floss
  • Cloth 
  • Food waste grease & oils
  • Paper Towels

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Divisions

The City of New Berlin Utility Department consists of:

Call Before You Dig

The Utility Department would like to remind anyone planning excavation work to call Before You Dig.

Resources 

Return forms to:  City of New Berlin, 3805 S Casper Drive, New Berlin, WI  53151