Free Tool | Boulder Leak Repair Pros
How Much Is That Leak Costing You? (City of Boulder Water Budget Rates)
Most online drip calculators use a single national average rate. Boulder uses a 5-block water budget rate structure where the cost per 1,000 gallons jumps sharply when monthly use exceeds your personal water budget. A toilet leak at 480 gallons per day may stay in Block 1, but a household already near its budget can quickly enter Block 3 at $15.06 per 1,000 gallons.
Boulder 2026 Water Budget Block Rates (3/4-inch residential meter):
| Block | Usage vs. Budget | Rate / 1,000 gal |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 to 60% of budget | $5.65 |
| 2 | 61 to 100% | $7.53 |
| 3 | 101 to 150% | $15.06 |
| 4 | 151 to 200% | $22.58 |
| 5 | Over 200% | $37.64 |
Wastewater: $8.86/1,000 gal. Questions? Call (303) 552-3896. See: Faucet Leak · Toilet Leak · Pipe Leak.
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✆ Call (303) 552-3896, 24 HoursFrequently Asked Questions
At a steady 60 drips per minute, a faucet wastes about 5.5 gallons per day, or roughly 2,000 gallons per year. At Block 1 water rates ($5.65/1,000 gal) plus Boulder wastewater ($8.86/1,000 gal), that is about $29 per year. A household already near its water budget may see the excess billed at Block 3 ($15.06/1,000 gal), raising the annual cost significantly.
Boulder assigns each residential customer a personalized monthly water budget. Block 1 ($5.65/1,000 gal) covers usage up to 60 percent of the budget. Block 2 ($7.53) covers 61 to 100 percent. Block 3 ($15.06) covers 101 to 150 percent. Block 4 ($22.58) covers 151 to 200 percent. Block 5 ($37.64) covers use above 200 percent of the budget. These are 2026 rates for a standard 3/4-inch meter.
A running toilet wastes about 480 gallons per day, or about 14,600 gallons per month. Adding that to a typical household's 4,000 to 6,000 gallons per month would push well above the water budget into Block 3 or higher at $15.06 to $37.64 per 1,000 gallons. Call (303) 552-3896 to get the leak found and fixed before the next bill cycle.
Yes. Boulder sets your wastewater cap using the Average Winter Consumption from December through March. A leak during those months inflates the AWC and raises your wastewater cap for the following 12 months.
Questions? Call (303) 552-3896, 24 hours a day.