EPA- Water Sence-What Is Fix a Leak Week?

Because minor water leaks account for more than 1 trillion gallons of water wasted each year in U.S. homes, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has declared “Fix a Leak Week,”March 15 through 21, 2010. Fix a Leak Week is sponsored by EPA’s WaterSense® program as an annual reminder to Americans to check household plumbing fixtures and irrigation systems for leaks. Click here to learn more.

Winter Wastewater Averaging Periods

Waste water averaging for City of Austin water customers starts Nov 16th. Running your irrigation system during the City of Austin waste water water averaging period, could cost you a lot. During the winter months, most lawns and plants have a minimal water requirement that can be met by mother nature's rainfall alone. If your are a typical irrigation user,  this added "waste water penalty" would cost you $500 extra throughout the year. Considering that the typical "non-waste water" usage rate is only $2.50 per 1,000 gallons, the penalty for running your irrigation system during these months is $90 per every 1,000 gallons of water you use during these months. That is a STEEP penalty. 

How can that be? Well, City of Austin waste water is charged out at a fixed rate of $7.50 per 1000 gallons based on your water usage during this 3 month period. The calculation takes the average of the 2 lowest months out of the 3 months and uses this as the basis for the following 12 months waste water average charge.    $7.50 x 12 months = $90 for every 1,000 gallons you use during these 2 months. Now you understand the importance of conservation.  High water users will feel the pinch even more since doubling the usage doubles the penalty you pay all year long. * typically user based on 4,000 gallons of household usage and 5,000 gallons of irrigation usage per month. High usage considered 15,000 gallons per month.

For more information go to the City of Austin Website.  Click here to read more. 

For water purveyors other than the Austin Water Utility, please contact your local purveyor for averaging dates.

City of Austin (Austin Water Utility)  http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/water/wwaverage/wwaverage.cfm
1. Go to website http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/water/wwaverage/wwaverage.cfm
2. Enter the Meter read date from your latest bill, this will determine your billing cycle and your averaging dates

What if I don't have my latest bill?
1. Login to you account online https://www.coautilities.com/
2. Click on the PAYMENT/BILL HISTORY TAB
3. Click on VIEW under Bill History. Use your latest bill ( first in the list.)
4. On the bill you will find the READ DATE.
5. Go back to the waste water averaging link and enter your date.

What if the internet and computers are not my thang?
1. Call the COA utilities customer care dept. (512) 494-9400
2. They will give you your billing cycle # ( a number from 1 to 20 )
3. Click on this link for a spreadsheet with all the dates http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/water/wwaverage/downloads/2011wwaschedule.pdf

or

If you have either your METER READ DATE or your BILLING CYCLE NUMBER
Call Cougar 769-2351 and we will tell you the Waste Water Averaging Period along with tips on how to save water and $$$ all year long.

City of Austin Residential Irrigation Rebate Program

How the program works:

1. Call the City to schedule an audit. 512-974-3507
2. City will come out in 1-2 weeks and evaluate your system.
3. E-mail list of recommendations to cougar.irrigation@gmail.com
4. Cougar will send a quote in 1-2 business days.
5. Accept quote and schedule an installation time/date
6. Save both water and money!

For more info on the program and rebates, see the City of Austin website. http://www.cityofaustin.org/watercon/irrigationrebate.htm

Why do we promote water conservation? Check out the Texas Drought Monitor?

Tracking drought blends science and art. No single definition of drought works for all circumstances, so people rely on drought indices to detect and measure droughts. But no single index works under all circumstances, either. That's why we need the Drought Monitor, a synthesis of multiple indices and impacts, that represents a consensus of federal and academic scientists. The product will be refined over time as we find ways to make it better reflect the needs of decision-makers and others who use the information.   See detailed report for the U.S. Drought Monitor of the South Region.

Irrigation in Texas is regulated by
TCEQ P.O. Box 13087 Austin, TX 78711-3087
(512) 239-6719