.jpg.aspx?lang=en-US&width=350&height=233 "Water resource recovery facilities, like the big Metro Plant in Saint Paul, must be built to handle future growth of the region. The SAC charge helps pay for that capacity.")
Keeping wastewater treatment rates affordable while supporting regional economic development is a Metropolitan Council goal. The nearly three million residents in the seven-county metro region served by our wastewater system pay 36% less than the national average to flush and drain used water from their homes, according to a 2024 national survey of peer agencies.
Wastewater pipes and water resource recovery facilities, which are critical for protecting public health and our environment, are expensive to build and maintain. And the infrastructure must be large enough to serve both current and future customers.
An important tool the Met Council uses to keep fees for current users lower is the Sewer Availability Charge (SAC). SAC funds are used to pay the construction costs of the additional system capacity needed for future users.
The SAC program was established in 1973 and is a critical component of how the Met Council ensures the long-term system sustainability of wastewater infrastructure. In 2025, the Met Council passed a notable milestone: one million SAC unit collections.
SAC fee based on potential demand
SAC is a one-time fee that communities pay when a new residence or business connects to the regional sewer system or when a business expands or changes its use, increasing potential wastewater demand. Unlike water and sewer bills, which are based on actual usage, SAC is based on maximum potential wastewater demand. It ensures that the system has the necessary capacity to meet peak needs.
SAC fees are applied consistently across communities and building permit authorities in the seven-county metro area. These fees are typically incorporated into permit and license costs and passed on by communities to businesses and property owners. The rate for one SAC unit is $2,485. The Met Council has not raised the fee since 2014.
.jpg.aspx?lang=en-US "The Met Council keeps a healthy SAC reserve balance and has not increased the SAC for more than a decade.")
“One of the most frequent misunderstandings people have about SAC is thinking it is based on actual water and sewer use. It’s not,” said Jessie Nye, manager of the SAC program. “SAC is based on the maximum potential discharge from food preparation, dishwashing, and other domestic use on its busiest day of the year, rather than its average daily operations." The Met Council must build the treatment system to anticipate peak volumes.
Met Council engineers and external consultants set criteria for the charge based on water studies, as well as building, plumbing, and health codes. Communities also have flexibility in how they manage SAC charges and credits through their own ordinances and community policies.
SAC team works to make program more accessible
The SAC team is committed to simplifying and improving the program through annual updates, training, and customer service enhancements. Recent efforts include improving website accessibility, offering SAC materials in multiple languages, and partnering to explore financial support options for public housing and deeply affordable housing projects.
The SAC program is a key component in the 2050 Water Policy Plan, ensuring equitable and sustainable wastewater management for future generations. For additional information, visit the SAC program webpage.