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Winter Averaging
Winter averaging consumptions are updated annually and are effective April 1st of each year. A lot of questions have been posed on why this formula is used and how consumptions are determined. The information below is provided to help bring clarification to this practice.
Winter averaging is a practice by which water use during the winter time period is used to determine maximum sewer charges for the upcoming year. The utility bases winter average on the average water consumption during December, January, and February. The Q and A's below are provided to help answer frequently asked questions.
Your sewer bill is based upon your water consumption. Outdoor water use (such as irrigation, car washing and recreational use) does not typically enter the city’s wastewater system and using winter averaging consumption therefore, prevents the wastewater portion of your utility from spiking during the summer.
Consumption information is calculated during the three winter billing periods to arrive at the winter average. For example, if your water use for December =5000 gallons, January =3000 gallons, and February =5500 your total winter consumption would be 13,500 gallons. This consumption is divided by 3 to determine your winter average would be 4500 gallons (13,500 gallons / 3 months = 4500 gallons). Your winter average consumption would be 4500 gallons. The figure of 4500 gallons would be your maximum sewer consumptions for the next year.
What if I use less water than my winter average?
If an account uses less water than the winter averaging consumption, the sewer charges would reflect charges for the actual water use. For example if your winter averaging rate was 4500 gallons and your current water consumption was 3900 gallons your sewer charges would reflect 3900 gallons of sewer use.
Winter averaging is a practice by which water use during the winter time period is used to determine maximum sewer charges for the upcoming year. The utility bases winter average on the average water consumption during December, January, and February. The Q and A's below are provided to help answer frequently asked questions.
Why does the city use winter use for averaging?
Your sewer bill is based upon your water consumption. Outdoor water use (such as irrigation, car washing and recreational use) does not typically enter the city’s wastewater system and using winter averaging consumption therefore, prevents the wastewater portion of your utility from spiking during the summer.
How is winter averaging calculated?
Consumption information is calculated during the three winter billing periods to arrive at the winter average. For example, if your water use for December =5000 gallons, January =3000 gallons, and February =5500 your total winter consumption would be 13,500 gallons. This consumption is divided by 3 to determine your winter average would be 4500 gallons (13,500 gallons / 3 months = 4500 gallons). Your winter average consumption would be 4500 gallons. The figure of 4500 gallons would be your maximum sewer consumptions for the next year.
What if I use less water than my winter average?
If an account uses less water than the winter averaging consumption, the sewer charges would reflect charges for the actual water use. For example if your winter averaging rate was 4500 gallons and your current water consumption was 3900 gallons your sewer charges would reflect 3900 gallons of sewer use. When is the winter averaging rate effective?
The winter averaging rate is effective April 1st of each year.
What can I do to reduce my sewer charges?
Reducing overall water use during the winter averaging period is essential in cutting your sewer charges for the coming year. This reduction can be accomplished by fixing all leaks as soon as possible (toilets, faucets, service lines, irrigation systems).
- Turn off irrigation systems.
- Consider replacing old toilets with new, water-efficient models.
- Replace old shower heads and faucet aerators with new, efficient models.
- Use only the water that is needed when washing hands, dishes or brushing teeth.