| Water & Wastewater |
Please note: The correct phone number for reporting water or wastewater problems is (512) 972-1000. This number was listed incorrectly in the Resource Manual provided at the meeting. If you did not attend the meeting but would like to receive a copy of the Resource Manual, please contact staff.Will a deposit be required when transferring to the Austin Water Utility? Will there be any inspections or fees?There will be no deposit, inspections, or fees required of existing MUD customers when the Austin Water Utility assumes operations of the utility. A deposit, inspections, and fees may apply to new utility connections, however. The Austin Water Utility occasionally conducts inspections of lines for preventive maintenance or to identify problems in the system. If the Austin Water Utility will be conducting a test such as smoke testing, residents in the area will be notified in advance.Will the water rates be higher in the summer? Seasonal water rates apply to multifamily and commercial customers but not single-family customers. How do Austin's water rates compare to the MUD's water rates?For customers consuming water at the average city rate of 8,500 gallons per month, the water bill will be lower in the city. The City's water rates increase as consumption increases.How will the Austin Water Utility compute wastewater bills during 2008, given that wastewater averaging takes place in the winter?Austin will use the winter average provided by the MUD.Will you please explain wastewater averaging?The Austin Water Utility looks at water consumption during three consecutive billing periods from mid-November through mid-March, when there is little need for watering outdoor plants or lawns. The wastewater average is typically calculated from the average of the two months with the lowest daily water usage.What about tap fees?Tap fees are assessed for new homes and for the installation of larger replacement meters, not on existing homes or existing meters.Will water and wastewater charges be on the City electric bill?If you are currently an Austin Energy customer, your water and wastewater charges will be added to your Austin Energy bill. If you are a Pedernales Electric Cooperative (PEC) customer, you will receive a separate bill from the City for water and wastewater.Will I need to do anything different if I have an irrigation system?No. A new meter for your irrigation system is not required.How will the City account for water leaks in wastewater averaging?First, call the Austin Water Utility's Consumer Services office at 972-0000 for assistance if you experienced a leak during the winter month wastewater averaging period. If the leak did not affect the charges for the two months with the lowest water usage, the standard wastewater average may be used. If the leak did affect the winter month wastewater average, the Austin Water Utility will work with customers to resolve the issue.How does the Austin Water Utility respond to service calls? A priority system is used to send staff to the most urgent calls as quickly as possible. Approximately 67% of priority calls are responded to within 1 hour. A first responder will assess the situation, determine the personnel and equipment needed, and report back to the Austin Water Utility so that the right person can then be sent to the scene. How will water quality compare to our current water when we are served by the City of Austin?The water currently distributed by the MUD to its customers is purchased wholesale from the City of Austin after treatment. The City of Austin will continue the same treatment procedures after annexation, so the quality of the water will not change.What will happen to the MUD's wastewater treatment plant?The initial plans are to keep the plant in operation to continue serving MUD customers.When will the City assume operations of the wastewater facilities?The transition will happen this summer within a thirty day period following the transfer of facilities to City ownership. From this time forward, the City will conduct all billing and retain all utility revenue.Will the City offer employment opportunities to MUD employees?MUD employees are welcome to apply for any City job vacancies. Their qualifications will be considered along with those of all other applicants. |