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Action Please By:
December 18, 2009

NACWA is asking its public agency members to complete the 2009 NACWA Index survey. NACWA has published the NACWA Index annually since 1992 to track average annual single-family residential service charge increases as measured against the rate of inflation. With the wide variety of rate structures implemented at the local level, the average annual single-family residential sewer service charge provides a unique and consistent benchmark to measure the cost of sewer services for the average family. The annual Index survey is relied upon by wastewater agencies and a wide variety of policymakers and experts. The Index survey results, which will be distributed to the membership in March 2010, will compare national service charge changes on an annual basis since the mid 1980s and include information on service charges according to geographic region.

The brief Index survey, which should take less than 15 minutes to complete, requests the average annual single-family residential sewer service charge and service population of each NACWA utility respondent as well as information on future rate changes. The more responses NACWA receives the more representative the Index is of the wastewater treatment community as a whole, so we ask that you complete your survey by December 18. 

Four Easy Ways to Complete the 2009 NACWA Index Survey by December 18

NACWA is providing four easy ways to complete the 2009 NACWA Index survey:

Preferred Method

1. Click here to submit your responses immediately via web survey to NACWA.

Alternative Methods

2. Print and complete the NACWA Index survey . Fax your response to NACWA’s contractor at 202/318-1472.

3. Complete the survey questionnaire online at www.cleanwatercentral.org by following the four easy steps below:

1. Go to the CleanWater Central homepage at http://www.cleanwatercentral.org. Click on "Enter private subscribers area"
2. Enter your username and password and then click on "login" (Contact NACWA at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you don’t have your username and password)
3. At your agency profile page, click on "Surveys" on the top menu and click on 2009 NACWA Index in the active NACWA/WERF surveys box
4. Complete the brief 2009 NACWA Index survey questionnaire, and click on "Submit".

4. NACWA can provide you with a customized survey form with your agency’s past responses. Simply email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to get a copy of your customized survey emailed to you.

In order to ensure consistency, the 2009 NACWA Index survey questionnaire should ideally be completed by the same individual who submitted information for your agency in the past. As always, individual agency responses are kept confidential. 

Service Charge Increases Outpace Inflation Rates

Last year’s Index showed that the average cost of wastewater services for a single-family residence increased by approximately 5.3 percent in 2008, outpacing the rate of inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index, which rose 3.9 percent (measured as an average of inflation for the period 2007-2008). The 2008 Index indicated that the average single family home’s actual annual cost for wastewater services topped $322, an increase of nearly $18 over last year’s average charge. More than three quarters of respondents to the 2008 Index survey had approved or planned rate increases for 2009, and roughly 60 percent of respondents indicated having approved or planned rate increases for each of the next five years. The NACWA Index is projecting a steady rise in the average service charge over the next five years, with charges approaching an average of $430 by 2013 – nearly a 34 percent increase over 2008. 

Your Participation Is Encouraged!

Please take a moment to complete the survey by no later than Friday, December 18, 2009. If you have any questions about survey please contact Chris Hornback at NACWA’s National Office, 202/833-9106 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Thank you for your prompt attention to this important request.