What are seasonal water conservation rates?

 Seasonal water rates are a pricing method used by OWASA and many other water systems to:

• encourage conservation of our valuable drinking water supplies, and
• more accurately reflect the cost of meeting peak day and peak seasonal water demands.

Seasonal water rates apply to OWASA customers such as businesses, offices, public facilities and other institutions and master-metered multi-family developments such as condominiums, townhouses and apartments.

 Here’s how seasonal rates work:

Our water rate is the amount you pay for each 1,000 gallons of water use, as measured by our water meter.

In the five months of May 1st through September 30th, a higher "peak" seasonal water rate applies to water use. From May, 2008 through September, 2008, the peak seasonal rate is $5.85.

In the seven months from October 1 through April 30, a lower “off-peak” seasonal rate is in effect. The off-peak rate from October, 2007 through April, 2008 was $3.08 per 1,000 gallons.
In October, 2008, a new off-peak seasonal water rate of $3.40 per 1,000 gallons will go into effect as part of an annual adjustment of our rates. The peak seasonal water rate from May, 2009 through September, 2009 will be $6.46 per 1,000 gallons.

(Because the peak demands on the sewer system are different from water demand, our sewer service rate does not vary by season.)

Which OWASA customers will pay seasonal rates for water service as of October 1, 2007?

Since October 1, 2007, increasing block water rates have applied at individually-metered residences. As of October 1, 2008, irrigation-only customers will pay a year-round water rate of $6.95 per 1,000 gallons.

Please click here for information on increasing block water rates.

How and why did OWASA adopt seasonal water conservation rates?

For many years, OWASA had a year-round water rate that did not vary by time of year (except for annual rate adjustments in the fall).

In June, 2001, the OWASA Board of Directors decided to adopt seasonal water rates that more accurately reflect the costs of producing water and encourage conservation. The new rates went into effect on May 1, 2002. This decision followed a detailed study of alternative conservation rates that began in November, 1999 and included a public information and public comment/public hearing process.

As noted above, the purpose of seasonal rates is to encourage conservation and to more accurately reflect the costs based on water system capacity needs at different times of year. Because the highest water use occurs between May and September, our water system capacity needs and related facility costs are highest in those months.

In the spring of 2002, we completed a multi-million dollar expansion of the Jones Ferry Road Water Treatment Plant that increased our production capacity from 15 to 20 million gallons per day. The improvements completed in 2002 were necessary because the community’s peak demand for water had almost exceeded our treatment capacity.

How do seasonal rates affect water bills?

For many (but not all) customers, the lower "off-peak" rate for the seven months from October through April largely offsets the higher rate and bills for the five months from May through September. However, water service costs over a full year will depend on each customer's water use pattern.

For customers who use large amounts of water from April through September, annual water costs will be higher.

Customers are invited to contact OWASA Public Affairs at (919) 537-4267 or send an e-mail to webmaster@owasa.org to receive an estimate of water service costs over a full year based on the customer’s past water use.

For customers who pay seasonal rates, the best opportunity for savings in water bills, of course, is conservation from May through September.

How does OWASA calculate water bills in the months of May and October?

We read most water meters on a day other than the first or last day of the month. We therefore pro-rate water use, as shown below, to calculate bills when there is a transition between peak and off-peak seasonal rates in May and October. (We do a similar pro-ration when rates change due to annual adjustments in water and sewer rates.)

For example, if a customer used 8,000 gallons of water from September 16 through October 15, 2007, then

• the charge for half of the water (4,000 gallons) was the old peak seasonal rate of $5.20 per 1,000 gallons;
• the charge for the other 4,000 gallons is the new off-peak seasonal rate of $3.08 per 1,000 gallons.

In May, we similarly pro-rate water charges with the change to the peak seasonal water rate on May 1.

(Our bills also include a flat monthly water service charge based on meter size and sewer service charges, which do not change on May 1st.)

What are the best ways to conserve water?

The answer to this question depends on several factors and circumstances. Please click here to see the Water Conservation section of our website for more detailed information.

For many residential customers, the most effective conservation methods may include:

1. Finding and fixing leaks in faucets and spigots, toilet tank flappers, toilet fill valves, hoses and pipes, irrigation systems other water-using appliances and fixtures.
   
2. Replacing toilets, faucet aerators and showerheads installed before 1994 with new water-efficient models that also save on water and sewer bills (and energy bills for hot water).
   
3. "Smart watering" and related landscaping techniques to promote deep root growth for drought resistance and healthier grass.

• For established lawns and landscaping, no more than one inch of watering per week should be adequate. Too much water will harm plants and grass, and will not encourage deep root growth.
  
• Choose drought-resistant plants and grass.
  
• Monitor, adjust and maintain irrigation systems to make sure that they do not waste water.
  
• Water plants and grass in the early morning or after dark to reduce water loss from evaporation.
  
• Use mulch to reduce evaporation of moisture from the soil.

Year-round conservation standards for OWASA customers

Based on experience with water use restrictions in the severe drought of 2002, OWASA recommended and in 2003 the local governments adopted ordinances including year-round conservation requirements for OWASA customers. During droughts or other water shortages, additional restrictions would go into effect.

Please click here to read a summary of the year-round water conservation standards

Questions and comments?

We invite you to contact us with comments and questions at any time regarding seasonal water conservation rates, water conservation and of our water and wastewater services.

Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA)
400 Jones Ferry Road, Carrboro, NC 27510
telephone: (919) 968-4421 fax: (919) 968-4464
e-mail: webmaster@owasa.org Web site: www.owasa.org

OWASA is the community-owned, non-profit, public water and sewer agency serving the Carrboro-Chapel Hill community.