Residential Service

Residential Service Requirements

When starting service, please bring your driver's license, lease agreement, or mortgage information.

To start Residential Water Service, you must pay:

  • $25.00 Activation Fee.
  • $75.00 Deposit

Once your service is active, you may pay:

  • $33.00 monthly service fee. (Includes the first 2,000 gallons of water usage.)
  • $5.40 per 1,000 gallons over 2,000 gallons.
  • $6.60 per 1,000 gallons over 6,000 gallons.
  • $10.00 late fee if the account is unpaid by the due date.
  • $50.00 disconnection fee will be charged if your service is disconnected.

Bills are due on the 10th of every month. Accounts not paid in full by the due date are subject to additional fees and may be disconnected. Accounts past due on the 11th of each month will be assessed a $10.00 late fee.

 

Non-residential rates vary by meter size. Please contact our office for additional information.

Understanding Your Bill

DCWA bills customers once each month based on water used during the previous month. This means the water you use in one month is reflected on the following month's bill.

Example Bills

Example 1: Customer Using 2,000 Gallons

A customer using 2,000 gallons or less pays only the base monthly charge.

Charge Amount
Base Rate, includes first 2,000 gallons $33.00
Total Water Charge $33.00

Example 2: Customer Using 13,300 Gallons

A customer with higher seasonal usage, such as lawn irrigation, may use approximately 13,300 gallons during a billing period.

Charge Amount
Base Rate, includes first 2,000 gallons $33.00
Tier 1 Usage, 4,000 gallons $21.60
Tier 2 Usage, 7,300 gallons $48.18
Total Water Charge $102.78

5/8" Residential Water Bill Calculator - Effective August 1st, 2026

Enter your monthly water usage in gallons to estimate your residential water charge.



Residential Tap and Facility Recovery Fees

Meter Size Facility Recovery Fee Tap Fee Total Cost Minimum Bill
5/8" $3,500 $1,500 $5,000 $30.00
1" $3,500 $1,950 $5,450 $30.00

Dorchester County Water Authority reserves the right to negotiate fees for line extensions and larger meters.

Because of SC state law and DOT regulations, additional charges may apply to taps that require a bore under existing roadways.