Rates / Study

Water and Sewer Rates

Water Rates Effective July 1, 2026

Water, fixed meter charge:                           $62.47 / month (standard residential meter)

     Larger meters for irrigation and the MHP are proportionately greater

Water, Quantity Charge:                                $1.89 / ccf (hundred cubic feet)

Wastewater Rates Effective July 1, 2026

1- OLWD wastewater operations charge:     $106.14 / month

2- Manteca wastewater treatment charge 

     Oakwood Shores Single Family Home:    $64.50 / month

     Mobile Home Park:                                    $40.90 / month

3- Manteca Capacity Charge                         $48.25 / month ($579 / year collected annually via the San Joaquin Property Tax Roll)


Picture of a deck with a ladder leading into lake

In 2022, the District commissioned a Water and Wastewater Rate Study which analyzed the cost of water and wastewater service for the subsequent five year period.  The Study identified needed inflationary adjustments to the water rates together with a new structure for the District's wastewater rates reflecting the cost of wastewater service that the District is incurring under its contract with the City of Manteca.  The District Board of Directors approved the new water and wastewater rates after a Public Hearing at its meeting on June 28, 2022.  The new five-year rate structure became effective July 1, 2022.

Summary of Water Rates:  Water rates were held constant for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023.  Subsequently, water rates as approved by the Board of Directors after a noticed public hearing increase 3.0% per year for four years starting with July 1, 2023 through July 1, 2026 to keep up with the then projected impact of inflation on the operations and maintenance cost of the water system.

Summary of Wastewater Rates:  Wastewater rates decreased significantly on July 1, 2022 after the District commissioned new wastewater facilities and began to pump untreated wastewater to Manteca.  The OLWD component of the wastewater rate was set at $106.14 / month and is scheduled to be held constant through June 30, 2027.  The City of Manteca component of the wastewater rate is contractually set at the same rate as Manteca charges for residents in the City.  That rate automatically adjusts whenever Manteca adjusts wastewater rates.  This allowed the District to decommission its existing wastewater treatment and disposal facilities, reducing direct costs for wastewater treatment and disposal operations.

Manteca Wastewater Rate Increase:  In 2025, the City of Manteca adopted a five-year wastewater rate structure which is applicable to customers served by the Oakwood Lake Water District.  The rate structure was effective May 15, 2025 and appears on your bill as a separate line item charge.  That rate increases each calendar year on July 1.

Applicability of Manteca Capacity Charge:  One component of your wastewater bill is the "Manteca Capacity Component".  This component represents payment to Manteca for allowing the District to connect to its wastewater treatment and disposal system. It is essentially a charge identical to what any new home built in Manteca now pays to connect to the city’s wastewater facilities. This charge is a requirement of the District’s agreement with Manteca. This charge is only assessed on those single family and mobile home park units for which a building permit was issued by San Joaquin County before June 4, 2019 which is the effective date of the District’s agreement with Manteca. This charge is not applicable to single family homes or mobile home park units for which a building permit was issued by San Joaquin County on or after that date provided that the Manteca Capacity Component was paid as a single payment by the builder or owner. The capacity charge, if paid as a single payment, would be $5,964 per single family home and $5,103 per mobile home park unit. However, Manteca is allowing these amounts to be gradually paid over a 12 year period at a 2.5% interest rate. This equates to $48.45/month per applicable single family home and $41.46/month per mobile home park unit. Commercial properties (excepting the HOA clubhouse) will not be subject to this District charge because they will be required to pay the Manteca Capacity fee in full prior to the issuance of a building permit. This Manteca Capacity charge will remain unchanged from proposed inception on July 1, 2022 for the twelve year period. Separately, the District Board approved a program allowing, but not requiring, a customer subject to the Manteca Capacity Component to pay off the principal amount in whole or in part thereby eliminating or reducing this component from their monthly bill. The payoff will be subject to certain restrictions as to amounts and timing of the amount paid. 

Customers have been asking whether the charge is or is not applicable to their property. The charge will be applicable if the building permit for the property was issued before June 4, 2019 (unless the charge has been already paid by the builder). See the link below to determine if your property is or is not subject to this charge. 

Receipt and Payment of Service Bills

Your water and sewer service bill is calculated based on your previous monthly usage. For example, the invoice for services in January is sent to you in early February after the month of January is complete. Water and sewer service bills are considered delinquent if not paid by the last day of the month and if not paid a 5.0% late fee is assessed.

System Capacity Charges

Capacity fees are a type of development impact fee that public agencies may impose as a condition of development under the authority of California Government Code section 66000 et seq., the Mitigation Fee Act (Act).  The purpose of capacity fees is to ensure that development pays its fair share of the costs associated with providing system capacity.  Capacity fees are a one-time charge paid near or at the time the connection is made or entitlements are received.  The Act requires that those fees or charges shall not exceed the estimated reasonable cost of providing the service.  The District has established Capacity Fees for Water and Sewer Service as follows (historic details are provided in the links that follow):

Miscellaneous Fees and Charges