A rate study evaluates what a utility is charging for services and rates (user fees) and compares that revenue to the cost of providing water and wastewater services to its customers now and into the future. The rate study also examines how the fees compare to what other local utility systems charge. Rate studies also examine impact fees, the one-time charge paid by customers who are requiring increasing system capacity, to ensure that new development is paying for itself and not on the back of existing customers.