Member News 3.23.26

MSA Professional Services has released the findings of its 11th Wisconsin Sewer User Charge Survey. Read the full press release here: 

MSA Professional Services, Inc. (MSA) has released the findings of its 11th Wisconsin Sewer User Charge Survey, offering nearly 30 years of insight into what Wisconsin residents pay for sanitary sewer service and why. The 2025 survey gathered responses from 239 Wisconsin communities and Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (WPDES) permit holders to better understand sewer rates relative to community size and wastewater treatment system type across the state.

Since 1996, this statewide survey has helped municipal leaders, utility departments, and residents make informed decisions about wastewater infrastructure, funding needs, and future investments in clean water. The latest report continues that tradition, shedding light on several notable trends.

Sewer rates continue to rise. Residential sewer costs have steadily increased since the first survey nearly three decades ago. Communities continue to face rising expenses for electricity, fuel, chemicals, labor, and major facility upgrades required to meet stricter environmental standards.

Smaller communities tend to pay more.For many Wisconsin towns, fewer residents must shoulder the same regulatory and infrastructure burdens as larger cities. As a result, the smallest communities experience the greatest variation — and often the highest average cost — in residential sewer service.

Water usage is declining. Thanks to higher-efficiency fixtures and increased conservation awareness, water use continues to drop statewide. While environmentally beneficial, since water usage is also a basis for determining sewer rates, lower water use can reduce sewer utility revenue, sometimes prompting communities to raise rates to maintain necessary services and infrastructure.

Sewer rates often undervalue the service provided. Wastewater treatment is one of the most vital public health services, yet historically one of the most undervalued. When rates remain flat for long periods, communities may later face large, sudden increases to catch up with aging infrastructure needs.

The 2025 Wisconsin Sewer User Charge Survey Report equips communities with reliable, comparable data to support funding applications, guide sewer rate planning, and build public understanding. Whether serving 500 residents or 50,000, every municipality faces the challenge of delivering safe, clean water in a cost‑effective way.

The full report is made available to survey participants, with key findings shared broadly to support informed decision‑making statewide. Other communities interested in receiving a copy of the report can reach out to MSA at ratesurvey@msa-ps.com