Become a Subscriber

The One Water Rate is calculated based on a utility’s revenue and population served. Revenue was chosen because it is a good indicator of a utility’s scope and scale. Population was chosen because it is an indicator of the relative benefit of WRF’s research, i.e., utilities serving larger populations spread the benefit of WRF research over a larger number of consumers.

For the purposes of WRF’s One Water Rate, revenue includes operating revenues from the sale of water (including recycled water), collection and treatment of wastewater, and non-operating revenues generated from property taxes and other assessments levied to fund water, wastewater, recycled water, and stormwater activities.

WRF defines a utility’s population served as the permanent population in the service territory as described by the utility in a publicly available document, website, or other publication, or based on census data encompassing the utility’s service area. If a utility serves wastewater, water, and recycled water in overlapping service areas, the larger population will be used.

The One Water Rate was developed over a two-year period, beginning in February 2018. This effort was led by WRF’s Rate Strategy Committee, made up of nine board members representing diverse utilities, and was approved by the full Board in December of 2019. Several formulas for the One Water Rate were carefully considered. The One Water Rate places an equal weight on population and revenue. This approach was found to have the least amount of disruption, both to our subscribers and to WRF’s bottom line.

WRF chose to delay implementation of the One Water Rate due to the global pandemic. WRF froze rates in 2020 and only instituted only a slight increase in 2021.

The One Water Rate will impact each utility differently, as every utility has its own unique revenue amount and population served. For more information on your utility’s subscription amount, contact your Regional Liaison.

Your Regional Liaison can answer questions specific to your utility’s WRF subscription.

Your utility’s subscription fee increased because the formula used to calculate subscriptions has changed. The One Water Rate formula calculates utility subscriptions based on population and revenue. Under the One Water Rate, all increases were capped at 5%, that is, no utility will be asked to pay an increase greater than 5%.

WRF’s Board of Directors will carefully follow implementation of the new rate structure. In 2025, the Board of Directors will review the success and long-term viability of the One Water Rate. 

WRF broadly leverages resources to deliver scientifically sound research that:

• Offers solutions to the most critical problems utilities face
• Informs more pragmatic policy and regulations
• Results in cost savings for water utilities and their customers
• Provides opportunities for utilities to greatly leverage their research dollars and avoid duplication of efforts
• Supports more credible utility communication with customers, stakeholders, and the media
• Improves protection of public health and the environment

A WRF subscription also gives utilities opportunities to guide WRF’s research agenda, network with peers, and receive personalized service from Regional Liaisons.