Sewer System Rates

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The City of Hercules is committed to maintaining a safe, reliable and efficient sewer system that protects public health and the environment. The City of Hercules’ sewer rates were revised in July 2025. Sewer rates cover the cost of operations, personnel, infrastructure maintenance, and capital projects.

On July 22, 2025, the City Council of the City of Hercules adopted Resolution No. 25-206 increasing the annual sewer service charges as identified in the table below for the five-year period covering fiscal years (FY) 2025-26 through FY 2029-30. The fiscal year starts on July 1 and ends on June 30 of the following year for a 12-month consecutive period.

Reso 25-206 Sewer Rate Services Charges

Commercial, Retail and Institutional accounts are charged based on individual water consumption provided by East Bay Municipal Utility District.

Residential Waiver Program

The City manages a residential waiver program, where residents that can demonstrate that their water use is equal to or less than that of the average daily use of the Senior Living customer class are eligible for reclassification at the Senior Living Rate. The average daily use of the Senior Living customer class identified in the May 2025 Comprehensive Sewer Utility Rate Study is 74 gallons per day.

To apply for the waiver, please submit the Sewer Rate Waiver Request Form on or before May 1 of each year. This deadline is necessary to ensure that there is adequate time to review the waiver request and ensure that the revised rate is reflected on the tax roll that is updated every August. It is necessary to provide along with the form, twelve months of East Bay Municipal Utility District bills to document account holder water usage. Waiver applicants must reapply annually to maintain waiver eligibility.

The Senior Living rate classification is applicable only to accounts residing within a property zoned as Senior Living. There are three such properties in the City; Sycamore Hills by the Bay, Samara Terrace and The Arbors. Senior citizens are only eligible for the Senior Living rate if they reside within one of these Senior Living properties.

This waiver program has been in effect since the 2009 sewer rate increase, where Council directed the City Manager, through Resolution 09-070, to “…prepare an appeal process in relation to the rate increase.”

City of Hercules Sewer System

The City's sewer system includes 62 miles of gravity sewer mains, 1,660 manholes, seven lift stations, 4.5 miles of force mains, and connections to 7,000 private laterals that serve 8,300 parcels. Approximately 1.7 million gallons of wastewater daily flow from Hercules to the Pinole-Hercules Wastewater Treatment Plant, where it is treated before being safely discharged into the San Francisco Bay. The City co-owns the treatment plant with Pinole, with both cities equally sharing operation costs and capital improvements.

Sewer System Infographic: What You Need to Know

Capital Improvement Sewer Projects

To ensure the long-term reliability of the City's sewer system, Hercules is investing in several Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) funded through the Sewer Fund (421). These projects will address critical upgrades, including:

Sycamore Avenue (Upper Trunk Main) – Increasing sewer main capacity to support future flows. The Lower Trunk Main project was completed in 2025.
Promenade Lift Station – Replacing a lift station with a gravity main system as part of the Bay Front Development Project.
Repair/ Replace Sewer Lines under SR-4 & Along Willow Ave. – Addressing deteriorating sewer mains to prevent system failures.

Resources

Sewer Service Charge Roll Fiscal Year 2025-2026

Hercules 2025 Prop 218 Sewer Rate Notice

2025 Comprehensive Sewer Utility Rate Study

May 27 City Council Meeting with recording and agenda

FAQs

How do I currently pay for my sewer rates?

What areas do the City of Hercules’ sewer system serve?

How is the sewer system managed across different neighborhoods?

What are sewer lift stations, and why are they important?

Sewer lift stations are pumping facilities that help move wastewater from lower to higher elevations when gravity alone isn’t enough for proper flow. They are essential for maintaining efficient wastewater transport, especially in areas with hilly terrain or where underground pipes cannot be installed at a continuous downward slope. Hercules operates seven lift stations, each equipped with emergency backup systems to ensure continuous service.

What is the difference between a sewer main and a sewer lateral, and who is responsible for servicing each?

Sewer mains are the larger underground pipes that carry wastewater from multiple properties to the treatment plant. The City of Hercules is responsible for maintaining and repairing these mains. Sewer laterals are the smaller pipes that connect individual properties to the sewer main. Homeowners and property owners are responsible for maintaining and repairing their laterals, including preventing blockage and backups.

What emergency measures are in place for sewer lift station failures?

How does the City of Hercules share its wastewater treatment plant with Pinole?

How is Pinole-Hercules Wastewater Treatment Plant operated?

How does the City address sewer issues?

What do I do if I see contractors leaving trash on the road?

How can residents stay informed about sewer project updates and progress?