Summer is upon us and there is no denying that it has been one of the hottest and driest we have had in a long time.  When the temperature soars our yards become parched, our animals thirst, our bodies demand more usage as do our pools and other water-based systems around our homes and properties.

Living in a sandy region, the terrain does not retain moisture and therefore we find ourselves watering more often and longer, resulting in more usage and higher water bills.  Sometimes it is hard to understand how that much water could have been used in a 30-day period. 

Our water rates are comparable or less than most similar-sized water systems in Texas. Unless there has been a mistake on your Bill (a very rare occurrence), the amount of your monthly bill reflects YOUR amount of usage. If you want to compare your bill or usage to that of your neighbors’ or friends’, make sure you do so with several customers with like-sized families to that of yours. For comparison, the average residential customer throughout our system uses 140 gallons Per Day (gpd). However, an average residential household in our service area is comprised of 2.5 persons. Therefore, a family with 2 or 3 children, or more, with livestock and landscaping and a pool would pay a substantially higher bill.  Please see our rate structure below. 

You will see that the more you use, the higher rate you pay.  This is because the higher usage taxes our system, causes more electricity to pump the water, chemicals to treat the water and over time more infrastructure to deliver the water to your homes.  Conservation is key to lowering your bill.

Do I have a Leak?

For many customers, the first clue that they have a water leak comes when they receive a high bill.

Leaky faucets can waste thousands of gallons of water each year, like money down the drain. Toilet leaks can be even costlier-and most are easy to fix.

If your water bill seems high, there may be a leak.
To figure out if you've got one, you'll need to do a little investigation. If you think you have a leak, we can give you some tips to help locate it and some possible solutions to resolve the problem.

How to read your meter
Step one in tracking down a leak is to read your meter. First, make sure there’s no water running—that includes the washing machine, dishwasher and sprinkler—then check your meter. The meter is usually located in front of the house near the road. (If you can’t find it, please contact us.) If the dial on the meter is moving, you’ve got an obvious leak.

Even if you can’t see the dial moving, you could still have a small, slow leak. To check, write down the number on the meter before you go to bed. Then, before anyone uses water in the morning, check the number again. If it’s different, you’ve got a water leak.

If you notice a dramatic reduction in pressure from one day to the next, this too could be a sign of a leak. You may need to contact a plumber to help identify leaks.  Sometimes, they cannot be identified without the help of a professional. 

Sources of the leak may be:

Stopper Flap
This should fit tightly over the hole in the bottom of the tank. If it doesn’t, water will constantly run. Buy a new stopper flap and replace, making sure it fits snugly. 

The Float
The float is the ball that rises as water fills the tank. If the tank is full but your water keeps running, pull up on the float. If the water stops running, you need to adjust the float. Gently bend down the float arm,but take care not to break it. (Note: In some tanks, the float is on the shaft of the inlet. You can’t bend those down, you may have to replace the entire unit.)

Inlet Valve
This lets water into the tank when you flush. If you hear a hiss or a squeal, that means water is still running. Try adjusting the float lower, so the valve shuts off sooner. If that doesn’t work, replace the valve. Remove it and take it with you to the store to ensure you get the right one. But be sure to shut off the water at the wall and flush the toilet first.

Irrigation Systems

Irrigation systems are notorious for leaks and can be leaking large amounts of water directly into your subsoil under the lines without you even knowing, especially since irrigation systems tend to come on during the night time hours when everyone is sleeping.  To test your irrigation system, write down your meter reading.  Turn on your system in zones for 10 minutes each zone and write down your meter reading after each zone.  If a larger amount of water is used in one or more zones than others, you may have a leak.  Make sure to check all of your sprinkler heads as well, these tend to fail and can cause a large water loss.

We do offer leak adjustments if the leak occurred on the main line, we do not offer them on irrigation systems.  If you find you have a leak on your main line, get it fixed, save the receipt, take photos and fill out a leak adjustment form (this can be found at sswater.net) and submit it to our office no later than the 10^th of the month.  If all information meets the criteria, you may qualify for a leak adjustment and savings on your bill.  Leak adjustments are a one per year per member allowance.

Another way to save on your water bill is conservation.  We practice year-round conservation measures and water schedules.  Through the use of these schedules we will insure that there is water for our future and help you reduce your use and the monthly statement cost as well.

Read your meter and read it often.  We go out once a month, but to make sure you don’t have any unpleasant surprises, you can read your meter once a week or more to make sure that any leaks have not appeared or accidental over-usage or if your irrigation system needs resetting.  By being vigilant and watchful, you can prevent the shock of a large water bill in your mailbox.  If you have any questions or need any assistance, please call our office directly.  We are here to help you!  Thank you!

WATER RATES

EFFECTIVE October 1, 2017

*All rates collected from Conservation Rates help fund capital improvement projects

*Standard Rate increase required to cover fix operating expenses

**Usage Rate increase will cover increases in water production cost and help fund future Iron Filtration

Bulk Water Rates for Bulk Commercial Customers with 1-1/2 meters or larger

0 – 50,000 gallons                       $3.00/1,000 gal

50,001 – 100,000                         $7.30/1,000 gal 

100,001 – 200,000                       $9.72/1,000 gal

Over 200,000                              $16.04/1,000 gal

How To Calculate A Bill

Example usage: 37,480 gallons

Total Cost: $179.58

Regulatory Fee: .90 (.05%) Fee imposed by TCEQ

Grand Total for Bill: $180.48