REMINDER: The 2026 sewer rates are $63 for Residential Properties and $125 for Commercial and Multi-family.
Payment Options:
By Mail: Send your check along with your coupon to:
SLCD
P.O. Box 4304
Elkhart IN 46515
Online Banking: Please allow up to two weeks for processing, as payments must be received from your bank.
Credit/Debit Card: Pay conveniently online through this website. Click Here
To ensure timely processing, please plan ahead when choosing your payment method. Late fees of 10% are incurred on the 21st.
Sewer Rates to Go Up as the City of Elkhart Raises Rates
As of July 1,2024, the City of Elkhart initiated a substantial increase in sewage usage rates for the entire city and all others connecting to their sewer system. The rate increase will span over a period of five years to be used for the necessary upgrades and improvements to their system.
Why does Elkhart’s Rate Hike affect Us?
The Simonton Lake sewer system sends our sewage to the city, and the city charges the Conservancy. Simonton Lake sewer payments pay this charge. Now that the city is charging more, the Simonton Lake Conservancy will have to raise our rates to cover the increase.
Since July 2024, the SLCD absorbed the rate increase while the Board sought the best way to introduce rate hikes to their customers. The SLCD Board could not continue to do this. The SLCD has reviewed all expenses and budget figures to determine what the minimum rate hike needed to be and when it needed to be added.
The sewer system is 25 years old and has been maintained and serviced very well to keep cost in line. Money in the budget must be available for repairs and maintenance. SLCD expenses have increased as fees for chemicals, equipment and repairs have increased.
How Much Will Sewer Bills Go Up?
As of January of 2026, the monthly rate for residential customers went from $59 per month to $63 per month. The rate for commercial and multifamily customers went from $119 per month to $125 per month. The fee increases for 2027 and 2028 are listed below.
RATES 2026 2027 2028
Residential $63 $66 $69
Commercial and Multi-family $125 $131 $138
Keep in mind the SLCD sewer rates have for years have been the lowest or one of the lowest rates in the state. The board is striving to keep the rates as low as possible for SLCD users.
Do I Have to Use the Sewer System if I Live in the Conservancy?
If you live in the Conservancy and already have a working field system at your home, you may continue to use it as long as it is working.
If you live in the Conservancy and your field system fails, you CANNOT REPLACE THE FIELD SYSTEM. You must hook on to the sewer system.
If you are building a home in the Conservancy District, you must hook on to the sewer system. You do not have the option to put in a field system.