Water Budget Adjustments

The Utility Billing Office will grant water budget adjustments for a few specific reasons. If you feel that any of the below circumstances apply to you, please complete the appropriate water budget adjustment application form below and submit any required documentation. (See the forms for details.)

Be sure to read the back of the form before mailing it in. By signing your form, you are acknowledging that you've read and understand the information on the back. If your adjustment is approved, it will become effective the date the city received the application form.

Please note: The information provided in your application form could be subject to verification by other city departments. Approval of the water budget adjustment does not mean that the city approves your occupancy level or land use related change. Any changes in occupancy numbers or dwelling units for a rental housing unit are reviewed as part of the rental housing license application process. Any changes in a licensed childcare facility are reviewed by the state and by the city as part of the specific land use approval process.

Water Budget Adjustments for Single-family, Multi-family and Irrigation-only Accounts

• Water Budget Adjustment Form for Singlefamily, Multifamily and Irrigation-only Accounts

 Water budgets can be adjusted for the following reasons:

•  Number of people in household (Single-family residential accounts only):

Water budgets for single-family residential customers are calculated assuming four people per household. If you have more than four people living in your household year round, you can apply for an adjustment. Your monthly water budget will increase by 1,000 gallons per person for each additional person. Please include the number of people living in the household and the first and last names of each person on the form. The adjustment application for number of people in household must be submitted by either the property owner or property manager. This type of adjustment expires one year from the adjustment approval date.

• Medical Needs:

If a medical need requires a significant increase in the amount of water being used, please submit verification from your healthcare provider. All medical information will be kept confidential. This type of adjustment expires one year from the approval date.

• Licensed Care Facility:

If a residential dwelling is being used as a licensed childcare or eldercare facility, then you can apply for an adjustment. Please send in a copy of your business license along with the number of children or elders being cared for at your facility. If an adjustment is made, the water budget will increase by 1,000 gallons per person. This type of adjustment expires one year from the approval date. 

• Irrigable Area Square Footage (e.g., landscaping):

Irrigable area of the property is used to calculate water budgets for outdoor watering needs. Irrigable area is calculated by measuring your lot size in square feet and subtracting the impervious area, which is defined as any area that is paved, covered by your house, garage, deck or patio. In most cases, your budget has been calculated to accommodate efficient watering of landscape in the public right-of-way. Because water is billed per 1,000 gallons, small changes or differences in your lot size or irrigable area are unlikely to change your monthly budget.  Adjustments for irrigable area, do not expire.

If you have made significant changes to your landscaping or feel that your irrigable area is incorrect, then you can apply for an adjustment.  

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If you irrigate an area that you are required to maintain in the public right-of-way that is 200 to 300 square feet or more, then you can apply for an adjustment.

The adjustment application for irrigable area must be submitted by either the property owner or the property manager. Please check your property as illustrated on the city’s map to determine the current irrigable area. Include the mapped area of your property (printed from the city’s Web site) and mark the actual irrigable area. Or submit other documentation such as a true survey or improvement location certificate (ILC), which is typically included with loan closing documents, along with your water budget adjustment application.

If a Homeowner Association (HOA) is requesting an adjustment, then the HOA must provide signed written agreement (between HOA and homeowner) or by-laws which state irrigation responsibilities. If the adjustment is approved, the approval letter will state that the adjustment was requested by the HOA and will reference the agreement and/or by-laws. 

• Number of Dwelling Units (Multifamily residential accounts only):

Water budgets for multifamily residential customers are based on the number of dwelling units and bedrooms/unit in the building. If you feel that the number of dwelling units for your building is incorrect or if you have more than two bedrooms in any of your units, you can apply for an adjustment. Please include the actual number of dwelling units and bedrooms on your form. If appropriate, please include a copy of your rental housing license. Your monthly water budget will increase by 4,000 gallons per each additional dwelling unit and by 1,000 gallons per additional bedroom (max of five bedrooms/unit). The adjustment application must be submitted by either the property owner or the property manager. Budget adjustments for number of dwelling units or bedrooms do not expire.

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Water Budget Adjustments for Commercial/Industrial/Institutional (CII) Accounts

• Water Budget Adjustment Application Form for Commerical/industrial/institutional (CII) Accounts
• Efficiency-Standard Water Budget Option Form for CII Accounts

Commercial/industrial/institutional (CII) customers can now choose from four different water budget options.  Each CII account will only be able to change budget options once per year.  

The four budget options are:

• Average Monthly Use (AMU) - This is the default option. The AMU budget is calculated using the historical average of 12 consecutive months of water use for that account, so that every month's water budget is the same. Customers can now apply to change the timeframe used for the 12-month average. (The default timeframe is January through December 2005.)  If you feel that the AMU used in calculating your water budget is incorrect, you can apply for an adjustment. Please provide information explaining the reason for an adjustment along with a new estimated AMU. This information will be used in conjunction with historical water usage in reviewing the adjustment application. Budget adjustments for AMU do not expire.
• Historical Monthly Use (HMU) - The HMU budget is calculated using a rolling three-month average for each individual month. For example, the average of the past three January's use would be next year's January budget.
• Indoor/Outdoor - The Indoor/Outdoor budget is similar to the single-family budget in that it is comprised of both an indoor water allocation and an outdoor water allocation. The indoor allocation is based on the most recent Average Winter Consumption (AWC), which is the average water use for that account for December through March. The outdoor allocation is calculated based on irrigable area, including right of way, and seasonal watering needs. 
• Efficiency-Standard - This option allows for a specific customized water budget. The customer must hire a professional engineer to evaluate and recommend a personalized indoor budget, which then must be reviewed and approved by the city. The customer will be charged a fee for the city review.

If you are submitting an adjustment for any of the above, please carefully read the appropriate adjustment form and include the required documentation.

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Water budgets will not be adjusted to accommodate:

• Evaporative (swamp) coolers, pools, spas, or hot tubs
• Gardens
• In-home businesses or hobbies that use an increased amount of water

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Additional Documentation

Please note the documentation required for each type of adjustment as explained above. All of the information provided in the adjustment application is subject to audit. Should an audit be necessary, the applicant may need to provide additional documentation. Such documentation may include, but is not limited to:

• Copies of federal 1040 tax forms, driver's licenses, leases, or other records that show the number of persons per household.
• Acceptable documentation of the irrigable area (View city map). Property may be subject to physical inspection of the irrigable area.
• Acceptable documentation of the actual number of dwelling units. Property may be subject to physical inspection of number of dwelling units.

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For more information, contact the city's Utility Bill Office or  submit your question online and receive an e-mail reponse.

Utility Billing Office
City of Boulder
P.O. Box 791
Boulder, CO. 80306
303-441-3260

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Last Updated on Wednesday, 27 February 2013 11:51