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Know Your Water Budget

Water Budgets Explained

The City of Boulder has a water rate structure that uses "water budgets." Your water budget is the amount of water that you are expected to use during a specific month. Each customer's water budget will be different based on their unique water needs, as well as their past usage levels. 

The water budget only applies to water-use charges and does not include other costs such as wastewater, stormwater, other fees, etc.

Water budgets help promote water conservation. If you stay within your budget, you pay less for the water you use. If you exceed your budget, you pay more for the water you use.

How Much Water Do You Use?

Water budgets may vary monthly based on seasonal outdoor watering needs. 

No matter what your water budget is, you will only be billed for the water you use.

Your utility bill includes a graph that shows your monthly water use compared to your monthly water budget. This graph will show whether your actual water use was above, below or equal to your monthly water budget.

Access your water budget, usage statistics and pay your bill online at MyBUB. If you have questions about your water budget, call Utility Billing at 303-441-3260 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .


The city has changed the way water budgets are calculated for multifamily and commercial/industrial/institutional (CII) accounts.  Customers with either of these account types can now apply for a water budget adjustment to change their budget to accommodate new variables or budget options.


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Utility Billing

Water Budget Questions

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