Austin to raise water restrictions (West Lake Hills, West: purchase, costs, water bill)

[scm53]

Effective Monday

Austin returns to Stage I water restrictions Monday - YNN - Your News Now

[owlman]

Is this wise? Travis and Buchanan are still only 50% full.

[Trainwreck20]

Watering is actually a relatively small part of total water usage, compared to evaporation (nothing we can do about that) and ag use downstream (it has been cancelled for this season). Anyway, while I agree we should still watch our water usage, I can (sometimes) actually use less when there are two days per week. Currently, on Sunday morning, unless it is currently pouring rain, I pretty much have to water my lawn deeply, because if some forecast rain does not occur, I then technically have to wait until next weekend. With two days a week, I can 'push' the watering until the next date and hope that some rain occurs. Likewise, if it rains on Thursday or Friday, I can opt to put off watering until the next Thursday instead of being compelled to water again on Sunday.

Anyway, I have always thought they should just make the third tier of water use waaaay higher...then people would 'voluntarily' stop watering too much .

[G Grasshopper]

I agree with Trainwreck. I have been double watering on Sundays, but still have to do some hand watering of a few beds later in the week. Having another watering day doesn't mean that I will use much more, just that there is more flexibility. I'm hoping to put in a more xeriscaped front yard, but not until next year, so I have to keep up the lawn until then, I guess. I'm slowly working on decreasing the amount of turf in the back yard, and every now and then I have made enough progress that I can cap a sprinkler head, but it is a lot of work, and takes a lot of time. I'm thinking of getting someone to help me out, but have been puttering along on my own so far. The rain makes me feel much less nervous about my trees, which I value.

[owlman]

Yeah well not everybody is that water-smart otherwise we would never need restrictions

Originally Posted by Trainwreck20

Anyway, I have always thought they should just make the third tier of water use waaaay higher...then people would 'voluntarily' stop watering too much .

I agree, pricing--maybe variable based on the drought situation--is a great way to reduce use. Austin has a pretty steep tier system (could be steeper!) but I think Austin Water ought to require the same tier system for WCIDs that purchase water bulk from the city. Parts of West Lake Hills e.g. have rates way cheaper for high water users, even though it's the same treated water from COA plants.

[scm53]

Originally Posted by owlman

Austin Water ought to require the same tier system for WCIDs that purchase water bulk from the city. Parts of West Lake Hills e.g. have rates way cheaper for high water users, even though it's the same treated water from COA plants.

Just curious. Is your goal to reduce water usage from the Colorado River, or reduce the capital costs of Austin's water infrastructure?

[owlman]

Well, 5 years ago I would have said the goal is reducing usage to save costs and prevent/delay the need for WTP4, but now that's moot. I do think reducing usage is still admirable simply for supply stability in times of drought.

I guess my post above is more about fairness/jealousy now

[pjoseph2]

Austin water utility's finances are dependent on heavy lawn watering during the summer months. If usage shrinks (very likely with the lovely rains we have had this year) they will have to raise rates even more.

And rates are projected to rise every year for the foreseeable future. Punitive rates for higher tiers are coming for sure.

[chuck_steak]

I don't water my yard because of the cost. Every year my lawn grows back anyway. The only things I water are my bushes and plants (hand watering). We all three take showers and my water bill was $28.00 this month, which includes laundry and dish washing too.

Restrictions really don't affect us because we are frugal with our water because of cost, not because it does or doesn't rain a certain amount.

[Trainwreck20]

Restrictions really don't affect us because we are frugal with our water because of cost, not because it does or doesn't rain a certain amount.

Yup, that is the intent of the tiered billing system. A frugal household can probably get almost entirely into the lowest tier, and a typical one can fairly easily stay in the second tier.

Interesting article I ran across if you want to see some numbers:
Again, environmentalists shouldn't bash Austin's steep water prices - Austin Contrarian