The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutE-Communicator-City Publications-10/30/2012 (2)IN THIS ISSUE Tiered water rates to be implemented How will tiered water rates work? Q &A Water use calculators Water conservation reso u rce & I i n ks QUICK LINKS CITY OF COLLEYVILLE CITY NEWS PUBLIC MEETINGS City of Colleyville 817.503.1000 Suggestions or Comments? ~ ~_ ~ ~'~ ,~~ ~, ,~ ~ ~~ ~~ ~ - ~~~ ~~ _ ~~ ~ ~ ,. . ~ .~ ~ ~ f ~ ~A ~r IL f. y~.~,~~ ~ , ~ ~, ~ ~~~~ _ * - ~ ~~i ~y ~ ~~~; . ~.~~~a~~ ~~:~ ~,,~~K_4~- r ~ ,~= r~'~'~r~~~'~;y~ ~ `f"!, ~- ~~ ~~ w,~ ~ ~ .~~ '~ y ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~.. ~ ~.. ~ ~~ d~ ~ ~ ~ ~ j 1 M ~ k ~I i~G , ~ ,~ ~ z ,. a ~ ~I, A ~ (y ~~i~,sy r 6.. q ~~T '1~~ sn~~ L~ °t - 4~ 3 ~ ~o •. { A `i`~ ~~wV a i~~ . ~~' ~ ~ w 4 : ~~ '~ l-~ ~~ 4 .~ +up . ~~~'~"' ~'~' ~. 'h~ -~]a ~ ,~ 3 ~ , y 5 ~, ~ ~. h::~' .S.1~i v .ur , , - '~ ~'~ ~ -i~1~a,~, ~~ ~y~~ k. _ - ~';-~4i'h ~ ~^~~= `~ . ~ ~ ~ - ~' ~ TIERED WATER RATES TO BE IMPLEMENTED In an effort to promote water conservation, a tiered water rate structure will take effect for all residential and commercial water customers in Colleyville in December. Customers will see the tiered rates reflected on their ]anuary statements. In San Anqelo, residents will begin water rationing in the next few weeks. Outdoor watering will no longer be an option there as residents scramble to preserve water for necessities. Cities in heavily populated Southern California have periodically rationed water for more than a decade. In some parts of the country, cities are using a water budqetinq system-where residents are allocated a set amount of water each month. Water resources, long taken for granted, are overtaxed and dwindling. And with more than half the counties in the United States in severe drought conditions, it could happen any place. With an eye on the future, the Colleyville City Council is working to avoid such a fate in this community. In instituting tiered rates, Colleyville joins cities across the country in recognizing and addressing future water needs. Our neighbors in Euless, Keller, North Richland Hills, and Southlake already use tiered water rates. Fort Worth and Dallas also use tiered rates, as do the majority of cities with 20,000 or more in population in Collin, Dallas, Denton, and Tarrant counties. HOW WILL TIERED WATER RATES WORK? Special Edition: Tiered Water Rates Tiered rates are designed to reward customers who use less water by charging the lower rates for water used in the lower tiers. The more water a customer uses, the higher the tier(s), resulting in higher charges for water use. Conversely, the city of Colleyville is a water customer of the Trinity River Authority (TRA), which provides the city with treated water, as well as sewer treatment or wastewater. As the city purchases water in higher volumes for its customers, rates charged to the city rise proportionally for TRA's chemicals, debt service to fund federal environmental mandates, and infrastructure--in addition to any rate increases levied by TRA. As with other cities, these costs are passed through to the customer. Council briefinq on tiered water rates - Auq. 21, 2012 In addition to the minimum bill of $12.52 for the first 2,000 gallons of water used by a customer, the current charge for every 1,000 gallons of water is $3.74, regardless of the amount of usage. (Residential sewer charges are billed at a flat monthly rate, as determined by individual household consumption during the winter months.) With tiered rates the cost breakdown by usage is as follows: - 2,000-20,000 gallons - $3.74 - 20,001-30,000 gallons - $4.30 - 30,001-40,000 gallons - $4.86 - 40,001-50,000 gallons - $5.42 - Over 50,000 gallons - $5.98 Customers using 20,000 gallons of water a month or less, which covers general household usage and basic lawn irrigation, will not see a rate increase under the tiered structure. Those using up to 30,000 gallons of water per month will see an increase up to $5.60 a month, from $117.24 to $122.84. For instance, that customer will be charged under two tiers-the first 20,000 gallons at $3.74, and from 20,001 to 30,000 gallons receiving a rate of $4.30. Up to 40,000 gallons per month, the increase would be $16.80; usage up to 50,000 gallons a month would result in a monthly increase of $33.60; and, the highest use customers utilizing more than 50,000 gallons in a month would see the largest increase--so that a customer using 60,000 gallons a month would see an increase of $56. The city has developed online water calculators to assist customers in determining increases in their bills or to gauge the savings afforded from greater water conservation efforts. Note that under the "Old Average Bill" heading, after the "minimum bill" of $12.52 (a set rate for the first 2,000 gallons of usage}, the rate is calculated at $3.74 (per 1,000 gallons), since that was the previous flat rate for all customers regardless of usage. A calculator is also provided for winter sewer calculations. Colleyville uses the winter months' average of December, January, and February for these calculations. Winter sewer usage is used to set a user's sewer rate for the year, so less use during the winter months can lead to savings throughout the year. Colleyville Water Calculators In the progressively tiered system, once usage elevates to the next tier, every 1,000 gallons of water will be charged at the rate for that tier. Water bills will be calculated so that water used in the lower tiers is charged at that tier. Bills will provide a snapshot of the portion of water use from each tier. QUESTIONS &ANSWERS Why is Colleyville moving to this rate structure? Continued drought conditions and an increasing population in the Dallas/Fort Worth area have taxed the area's water resources to the point where conservation is no longer a choice--but a necessity. While North Texas is no longer in the most severe drought stage, last year's drought has left the area vulnerable to any future drought. In addition, excessive outdoor watering in the D/FW area drains existing water supplies. What is the purpose of tiered water rates? Tiered water rates are designed to encourage efficient water use by charging more for each 1,000 gallon unit of water as the customer uses more water. Water is a precious and finite commodity, so conservation is critical. Single family residential customers are the largest single group of customers in Colleyville. Since a large portion of water used by a single family residence is for outdoor watering, this offers the best opportunity to control water use. The first tier reflects indoor water use with some allowance for outdoor irrigation, which represents water used primarily for health and safety. The second tier provides for some additional outdoor water use. Subsequent tiers almost exclusively represent outdoor water use. The greatest opportunity for water conservation is with outdoor water use. If I use water in the higher tiers, will all my water be billed at that higher rate? No. Water bills are calculated so that water used in the lower tiers is charged at that tier. Bills will reflect the portion of water used within each tier. What is the best way to save water in my yard? Regardless of the type of plants grown, a tune-up of the irrigation system can usually yield substantial water savings. Attention to sprinkler system management, maintenance, and needed renovations can conserve water while producing better plant and grass growth. How much water does my pool use? In addition to water to fill the pool, without a pool cover, water loss due to evaporation equals the volume of water needed to keep a lawn of a similar square footage looking healthy and green. Consider covering pools in the winter and as often as is feasible in the summer months. WATER USE CALCULATORS WaterWiser Drip Calculator - Measure and estimate water wasted due to leaks Water Wiz - How much water do you use? Colleyville Water Calculators WATER CONSERVATION RESOURCES & LINKS Conservation tips from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and the Family of Southern California Water Agencies Be Water Wise Water conservation authority Amy Vickers' article clarifying the difference between water "wants" and water "needs" Conservation 101 Drop by Drop A how-to guide to starting a water conservation program Water: Use it Wisely 100 simple tips to conserve Take a tour of water saving opportunities in your home H20 Water Saver Home Fnr~e~arrl orr~ail City of Colleyville I 100 Main Street ~ Colleyville ~ TX ~ 76034