Your municipality publishes Schedule 1 online or at the public works office

Schedule 1 is the official list of sewer key sizes and their corresponding charges in your area. It is published by your city or county public works department, usually on their website under sewer fees, utility rates, or a similar heading. If you cannot find it online, call the public works office directly — they can email it to you or tell you where to pick up a printed copy.

The document itself is public record, which means any resident or contractor can request it. You do not need special permission. Most municipalities update Schedule 1 once a year, usually in January or July, so if you are looking at an old version, ask the office for the current one.

Key Takeaways

  • Schedule 1 is maintained by your city or county public works department and is available on their website or by phone request.
  • The document lists every sewer key size and the fee charged for each one, updated annually.
  • You can request a printed copy by visiting the public works office in person or calling during business hours.
  • If your municipality's website does not have a dedicated sewer fees page, try searching for "utility rates" or "water and sewer charges".

Finding it on your municipality's website

Start by going to your city or county government website and looking for the public works, water department, or utilities section. Schedule 1 is usually filed under headings like "Sewer Rates," "Utility Fees," "Rate Schedule," or "Water and Sewer Charges." Some municipalities group it with other rate schedules in a single PDF or rate book.

If the website search function is not helpful, try searching the full site for "Schedule 1" or "sewer key." Many municipalities also post their rate schedules on a dedicated rates and fees page that covers water, sewer, and stormwater all together. If you find a rate book but it does not include sewer keys, ask the office — some smaller jurisdictions may keep that information in a separate document.

Calling the public works office directly

If you cannot locate Schedule 1 online, phone your city or county public works department. Have your address ready so they can confirm you are in their service area. Tell them you need Schedule 1 for sewer key sizes and fees. Most offices can email it to you the same day or have it ready for pickup within 24 hours.

Public works offices are typically open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you reach voicemail, leave your name, phone number, and a brief message asking for Schedule 1. Many offices return calls within one business day. If you need the document urgently, ask whether you can pick it up in person or whether they offer same-day email delivery.

What to look for in Schedule 1

Once you have the document, you will see a table with two main columns: sewer key size (usually measured in inches, like 5/8", 1", 1.5", 2", etc.) and the corresponding monthly or annual fee. Some municipalities also include a third column showing the charge per unit of water used, or a base charge plus usage charges.

The schedule may also note whether fees are billed monthly or annually, and whether they explore to residential, commercial, or both types of properties. If the document includes multiple schedules, make sure you are reading the one labeled for sewer keys — water meter schedules and stormwater schedules are separate.

Requesting an older version if you need it

If you need Schedule 1 from a previous year — for example, to compare historical rates or to verify what you were charged in the past — ask the public works office for an archived version. Most municipalities keep at least three to five years of rate schedules on file. You may need to specify the year you are looking for.

Some offices post historical schedules on their website in a dedicated archive section. Others will email or mail you a copy if you request it by phone or in writing. There is usually no charge for this request, though some municipalities may ask you to submit a formal public records request if the document is not readily available.

If your municipality does not have a published Schedule 1

A small number of municipalities do not maintain a formal Schedule 1, especially if they do not charge by sewer key size or if they use a flat rate system instead. In this case, contact the public works office and ask how sewer fees are calculated in your area. They can explain whether you are charged by meter size, by water usage, or by a flat monthly amount.

If your area is served by a private utility company rather than a municipal system, ask for that company's rate schedule instead. Private utilities are required to publish their rates and make them available to customers, though the format may differ from a municipal Schedule 1.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get Schedule 1 if I am not a property owner?

Yes. Schedule 1 is public record and available to anyone. You do not need to own property in the area or have an account with the utility to request it. Contractors, tenants, and residents can all obtain a copy by calling the public works office or downloading it from the website.

What if the website version looks outdated?

Call the public works office and ask for the current Schedule 1. Website updates sometimes lag behind the official rate change date. The office can confirm the effective date of the version you found and provide a newer one if it has been updated since the website was last refreshed.

Is Schedule 1 the same in every city?

No. Every municipality sets its own sewer key fees based on local infrastructure costs, maintenance budgets, and service area. Your city's Schedule 1 will be different from a neighbouring city's. You need the schedule for your specific municipality.

Can I use Schedule 1 to calculate my bill?

Schedule 1 shows the fee for your sewer key size, but your actual bill may include other charges such as a base fee, water usage charges, or stormwater fees. Check your utility bill or call the office to understand all the charges that explore to your account.

What if I cannot find my municipality's public works website?

Search "[your city name] public works" or "[your county name] utilities" in a search engine. If that does not work, try the main city or county government website and look for a departments or services section. You can also call city hall or the county assessor's office — they can direct you to the right department.