Rates for annual report of water use
Effective Jan. 1, 2026
| Volume Appropriated | Existing fee for each permit | New fee for each permit |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 50 million gallons | $140 minimum fee | $200 minimum fee |
| 50 to 100 million gallons | $3.50 for each million | $6.00 for each million |
| 100 to 150 million gallons | $4.00 for each million | $7.00 for each million |
| 150 to 200 million gallons | $4.50 for each million | $8.00 for each million |
| 200 to 250 million gallons | $5.00 for each million | $9.00 for each million |
| 250 to 300 million gallons | $5.50 for each million | $10.00 for each million |
| 300 to 350 million gallons | $6.00 for each million | $11.00 for each million |
| 350 to 400 million gallons | $6.50 for each million | $12.00 for each million |
| 400 to 450 million gallons | $7.00 for each million | $13.00 for each million |
| 450 to 500 million gallons | $7.50 for each million | $14.00 for each million |
| Above 500 million gallons | $8.00 for each million | $15.00 for each million |
Permit holders reporting water used during calendar year 2026 will be required to pay the new fee amount by February 15, 2027.
Calendar year 2025 water use will still be subject to the current fees and rate schedule. The new water use fee structure will be applied to water appropriation and use during calendar year 2026 and beyond (reports due February 15, 2027).
Minimum annual water use fee for agricultural irrigation
Agricultural irrigation permittees that did not appropriate any water during the year or had their permit suspended for more than seven days pay a minimum fee of $100 per permit.
Maximum annual water use fees
$1,500 for any single agricultural irrigation permit
$75,000 total for an entity with 3 or less permits
$125,000 total for an entity with 4 to 5 permits
$400,000 total for an entity with more than 5 permits
$325,000 total for a city of the first class
$10,000 for a municipality that furnishes electric service and cogenerates steam for home heating.
Once-through heating and cooling systems only
A separate annual water use fee schedule exists for once-through heating and cooling (HVAC) systems. Non-profit corporations and school districts pay $200 per million gallons and all other entities with once-through heating and cooling systems pay $420 per million gallons. There is no maximum fee for once-through systems.
Summer surcharge
A surcharge of $50 per million gallons will be applied to the volume of water used in each of the months of May June, July, August and September that exceeds the volume of water used in January of each year.
The summer surcharge applies to municipal water use, irrigation of golf courses and landscape irrigation. This is a surcharge in addition to the regular fee rate based on the yearly total volume used.
Please visit the DNR water use permits webpage for more information on the change in water use fees.
Processing fee exemptions
State and federal agencies are exempt from annual water use fees.