Small Rate Survey Cover

Where Small Systems Rank in 2026 Utility Rate Survey

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The 2026 AE2S Nexus Utility Rate Survey booklets are currently out for delivery. The 2026 survey marks the 25th anniversary of this effort, and contains charts of water, wastewater, and stormwater rates, as well as a Total Utility Bill that includes water, wastewater, and stormwater. Since each community faces different challenges, it is often useful to look at the combined utility rate when comparing the cost of utility service between communities. Before you receive your booklet, we are providing a sneak peek at the results. 

2026 Combined Utility Rates

The values reported in the following charts illustrate the monthly residential charge for a utility bill equating to 6,000 gallons of water and corresponding wastewater usage, as well as a stormwater charge, for systems serving less than 5,000 people. Figures 1 through 7 represent the reported total utility bill results for communities serving less than 5,000 people, by State.

Figure 1: Reported 2026 Total Utility Bill for 6,000 Gallons – Colorado and Idaho Respondents Service Less than 5,000.
Figure 2: Reported 2026 Total Utility Bill for 6,000 Gallons – Iowa Respondents Service Less than 5,000.
Figure 3: Reported 2026 Total Utility Bill for 6,000 Gallons – Minnesota Respondents Service Less than 5,000.
Figure 4: Reported 2026 Total Utility Bill for 6,000 Gallons – North Dakota Respondents Service Less than 5,000.
Figure 5: Reported 2026 Total Utility Bill for 6,000 Gallons – South Dakota Respondents Service Less than 5,000.
Figure 6: Reported 2026 Total Utility Bill for 6,000 Gallons – Montana Respondents Service Less than 5,000.
Figure 7: Reported 2026 Total Utility Bill for 6,000 Gallons – Utah Respondents Service Less than 5,000.

Figures 8 through 10 illustrate the reported charges for 6,000 gallons of residential water service per month for regional system respondents, by State. 

Figure 8: Reported 2026 Regional Water System Charges for 6,000 Gallons – North Dakota.
Figure 9: Reported 2026 Regional Water System Charges for 6,000 Gallons – South Dakota.
Figure 10: Reported 2026 Regional Water System Charges for 6,000 Gallons – Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, and Utah.

Figure 11 represents the volumetric rate charged by large regional water systems that have been funded in part or in total by either government appropriations or other non-traditional funding approaches.  These systems were captured in a separate graphic due to their unique funding configurations and because they are not necessarily comparable to other regional systems due to their primarily bulk service nature.

Figure 11: Large Regional Bulk Water Providers – 2026 Rates per Thousand Gallons.

AE2S Nexus received survey responses from 76 systems serving 5,000 or less and 53 regional water systems.  Substantial efforts were taken to report accurate data. Although verification efforts were completed, in some instances data may not have been provided in full or fully verified. We hope you find the survey results useful to your community or regional system as you evaluate your utility rates and plan for the future. If you have any questions related to the 2026 Annual Utility Rate Survey, please contact Miranda Kleven at 701-746-8087 or Miranda.Kleven@AE2S.com.