Responsible Financial Management
One of LOTT’s key objectives is to manage utility finances in an economical, responsible, efficient and sustainable manner. As a public, non-profit organization charged with providing an essential public service, LOTT must manage funds efficiently and responsibly. LOTT patterns its utility management on a private-sector model, striving for “true cost accounting” to ensure accurate management and distribution of costs, with checks and balances that offer transparent accountability.
Rates and Fees
Service Charges
Connection Fees
Rates and Fees
LOTT ratepayers have two wastewater charges on their utility bills – LOTT fees and fees from the city that provides their sewer service (Lacey, Olympia or Tumwater). This is because parts of the wastewater system are owned and maintained by LOTT and parts are owned by the cities. LOTT owns the treatment plants and the main sewer interceptor pipelines and pump stations that carry wastewater to the treatment plants. The three cities each own the sewer systems in their respective service areas. These systems consist of pipelines and pump stations needed to collect wastewater from individual properties and carry it to LOTT’s main interceptors.
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Rates and Fees
Rates and Fees
LOTT ratepayers have two wastewater charges on their utility bills – LOTT fees and fees from the city that provides their sewer service (Lacey, Olympia or Tumwater). This is because parts of the wastewater system are owned and maintained by LOTT and parts are owned by the cities. LOTT owns the treatment plants and the main sewer interceptor pipelines and pump stations that carry wastewater to the treatment plants. The three cities each own the sewer systems in their respective service areas. These systems consist of pipelines and pump stations needed to collect wastewater from individual properties and carry it to LOTT’s main interceptors.
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Service Charges
Wastewater Service Charges
LOTT ratepayers are charged a monthly rate for LOTT services called the Wastewater Service Charge (WSC). For residential customers, this is a flat fee. For commercial or institutional customers, the fee is volume-based and calculated using an equivalent residential unit (ERU). The WSC is used to pay most of the cost for repairs or upgrades to the existing wastewater treatment system, loan payments for system-related capital costs, and operating costs. For 2026, the monthly charge per ERU is $48.95.
Connection Fees
Capacity Development Charge
When a home or business connects to the LOTT system, there is a one-time connection fee referred to as the Capacity Development Charge (CDC). The CDC is used to build projects that add new capacity, such as expanding reclaimed water production, larger sewer lines and other projects that increase LOTT’s ability to serve new customers. The CDC is assessed based on equivalent residential units. For 2026, the connection charge is $7,806.74.
Questions About Billing
LOTT does not bill sewer customers directly. Instead, bills are issued by the city that provides sewer service to the customer’s property. For billing questions, please contact the city that issues your bill.