When you open your monthly bill from HCMUD 304, you might see a few different charges whose purpose isn’t immediately obvious. Understanding what each charge represents can help you manage your usage — and your budget. Here’s a simple guide to what you’re paying for.
Water Service
Your water charge has two parts:
- Monthly Base Fee - $18.50 This is a fixed charge every month. It helps cover the cost of:
- Maintaining water lines
- Operating water plants and pumps
- Meter reading and billing
- General system upkeep
- You pay this fee even if you use very little water.
- Water Usage (Tiered Rates)Water usage is charged per 1,000 gallons. The more water you use, the higher the rate per 1,000 gallons. This tiered structure encourages conservation.
Residential Water Rates:
- 0–10,000 gallons: $3.25 per 1,000 gallons
- 10,001–20,000 gallons: $3.75 per 1,000 gallons
- Over 20,000 gallons: $4.50 per 1,000 gallons
What this means:
If you stay under 10,000 gallons per month, you pay the lowest rate. Higher usage moves into higher-priced tiers.
Sewer Service
Residential Sewer Fee – $32.00 per month
For residential customers, sewer service is a flat monthly fee. It does not change based on how much water you use.
This fee covers:
- Wastewater collection
- Sewer line maintenance
- Treatment of wastewater
- System repairs and infrastructure upkeep
Commercial Sewer Rate
Commercial customers are billed $6.50 per 1,000 gallons of water used.
Central Harris County Regional Water Authority (CHCRWA) Fee
You will see a separate charge on your bill for the Central Harris County Regional Water Authority (CHCRWA).
This fee is charged per 1,000 gallons of water you use. The more water you use, the higher this charge will be.
Why Does This Fee Exist?
Years ago, heavy groundwater pumping in Harris County caused land subsidence — meaning the ground began to slowly sink. This increased flood risks and threatened long-term water supplies.
To address this, the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District (HGSD) required water systems in the region to reduce groundwater use and convert to surface water (treated water from lakes and rivers).
The CHCRWA was created to help districts like HCMUD 304 meet those requirements.
CHCRWA does not provide retail water service directly to homes. Instead, it:
- Purchases treated surface water
- Builds and maintains large regional waterlines and pump stations
- Delivers surface water to local MUDs and water districts
- Funds major infrastructure projects needed for long-term water supply
What Does the CHCRWA Fee Pay For?
The fee helps cover:
- The purchase of treated surface water
- Construction of major transmission lines and pump stations
- Operation and maintenance of regional facilities
- Repayment of bonds issued to build this infrastructure
These are large, regional systems that serve multiple districts across Central Harris County.
Important to Know
- HCMUD 304 does not set or control this rate.
- The District collects the fee and passes it through to CHCRWA.
- The charge is based entirely on your water usage.
Because this fee is tied directly to how much water you use, conservation is one of the most effective ways to lower your total bill.
Waste Collection — Where Is It on My Bill?
Your monthly bill also covers residential trash and recycling service.
Instead of listing trash as a separate line item, the cost is included within the base sewer service fee.
As of February 2026, the waste collection portion of the base sewer rate is $20.00.
Why Isn’t Trash Listed Separately?
If trash and recycling were shown as a separate charge, state law would require sales tax to be added to that service.
By including waste collection within the base sewer rate, the District avoids adding sales tax — helping keep overall monthly costs lower for residents.
What’s Included?
Each home receives standard trash and recycling carts at no additional charge.
Additional fees may apply for extra carts or replacement carts beyond what is included in the standard service, according to the District’s waste collection policies.
Deposits and Other Charges
Residential Deposit
A $150 deposit is required to start new residential water service.
Late Fee
If payment is not received by the due date, a 10% late fee is added to the unpaid balance.
Reconnection Fee
If service is disconnected for nonpayment, a $50 reconnect fee will apply.
How to Lower Your Bill
Since both your water usage charge and the CHCRWA fee are based on how much water you use, reducing consumption can make a noticeable difference.
Here are a few simple ways to manage costs:
- Fix leaks quickly (even small leaks can waste thousands of gallons).
- Adjust irrigation seasonally.
- Water early in the morning to reduce evaporation.
- Avoid watering sidewalks and driveways.
- Consider installing water-efficient fixtures.
Outdoor watering is usually the biggest reason bills increase during summer months.
Final Thoughts
HCMUD 304’s billing structure is designed to:
- Rates are structured to keep costs as low as possible for most residents, with lower prices for everyday water use and higher rates only for unusually high consumption
- Cover the cost of maintaining reliable water and sewer service
- Comply with regional groundwater reduction requirements
By understanding how your bill is calculated, you can better manage your usage and avoid surprises.
If you ever have questions about your bill, your operator’s customer service team is available to help. For full details, the District’s current Rate Order is available on our website and is updated whenever rates change, as required by law. The District adopted the most recent rate order on December 18, 2025, view it here.
