You’ve done the work to apply for sewer credits and your building is saving real money every month. But then a question nags at you: do these credits last forever, or will they expire? The answer matters — and knowing it in advance can save you from an unpleasant surprise on a future utility bill.
Most Programs Require Renewal
The short answer is that most sewer credit programs require periodic renewal, typically on an annual or biannual basis. The utility wants to verify that your water use patterns haven’t changed significantly since your original application. This makes sense — a building that replaces its cooling tower with a smaller unit, or changes its operating schedule, may evaporate a different volume than what was originally documented.
Renewal requirements vary by city. Some utilities send you a reminder and a simple renewal form. Others require you to resubmit updated metering data covering the most recent 12 months. A few cities conduct periodic on-site inspections to verify that your meters are still installed and functioning properly.
What Happens If You Miss a Renewal Deadline?
If you miss your renewal deadline, the credits typically stop immediately. Your next sewer bill will revert to the full amount — calculated on 100 percent of your water consumption — as if you’d never applied. The good news is that missing a deadline doesn’t permanently disqualify you. You can reapply, though you’ll likely need to go through the full application process again rather than a simplified renewal.
The financial impact of a lapse can be significant. A building saving $1,200 per month in sewer credits that misses a renewal by three months loses $3,600 — money that’s gone and usually can’t be recovered retroactively. According to the EPA’s guide to understanding water bills, sewer charges are among the fastest-rising utility costs in the country, so the penalty for a lapse only grows over time.
How Continuous Monitoring Makes Renewals Effortless
The biggest reason facilities miss renewals is that gathering the required data feels like a project. If you’re reading meters manually once a month and filing paper records, pulling together 12 months of documentation for a renewal is genuinely tedious. But if your building has a real-time water monitoring system, renewal data is always ready — it’s being collected automatically every day.
Digital monitoring platforms can generate the exact reports utilities require with a few clicks. Some systems even send automated alerts when a renewal deadline is approaching, so you never miss one. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends continuous monitoring for cooling tower systems precisely because of this kind of operational benefit — the data serves multiple purposes simultaneously.
One-Time Audits vs. Ongoing Programs
A small number of utilities handle sewer credits differently. Instead of an ongoing credit program with renewals, they conduct a one-time audit of your water system and set a permanent adjustment to your sewer billing ratio. Under this model, your credits don’t expire unless your building’s water infrastructure changes substantially. If your city uses this approach, you’ll know during the application process — the utility will explain whether your adjustment is permanent or requires renewal.
Regardless of your city’s approach, it’s smart to keep your metering data current. Even with a permanent adjustment, you’ll want documentation in case the utility ever questions your credit or if you need to apply for an increased credit after adding equipment. Our guide to qualifying for sewer credits covers what documentation to maintain long-term.
Ready to Find Out What You Could Save?
RPM Water Equity Solutions helps commercial facilities recover money lost to sewer billing assumptions. If your building has cooling towers, you may be paying sewer charges on water that never reaches the sewer system.
Request your free assessment today and find out how much you could recover.
Set It and Don’t Forget It
Sewer credits are one of the best recurring savings opportunities for commercial buildings — but only if you keep them active. Put your renewal date on the calendar the day you receive your approval letter. Better yet, invest in monitoring that keeps your data current year-round. The savings are too valuable to lose to a missed deadline.
