Water Budget Frequently Asked Questions

A new way to calculate your water bill, using water budgets, began in January 2007. The basics of your water budget page is a good place to start learning about budgets.

View additional FAQs on Water Monitors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

• Questions about 2008 Water Budget Changes
  
• Other questions
  • Why have we moved to water budgets?
  • Is this just the city's way of telling us not to water our lawns?
  • Who decided we should have water budgets?
  • What if I use more than my budgeted amount?
  • Why can't I take water I saved in one billing period and roll it forward to the next billing period?
  • I'm having trouble staying within my monthly budgets.  What can I do?
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  • How can I track my water usage?
  • What if I don't agree with the amount of water budgeted for me?
  • Can I apply for an adjustment more than once?
  • Who can I appeal to if my adjustment request is denied?
  • When will my meter be read?  Can homeowners read their own meters?
  • Will budgets be increased for pools?
  • What considerations are made when calculating monthly budgets to account for gardens and maintenance of adjacent right-of-way areas? 
  • Is the budgeted amount of water really enough to grow things in Boulder even in winter?  
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  • Does my monthly budget allow for watering trees in winter months? If no, can I get more water?
  • Why isn’t the outdoor portion of the water budget adjusted for actual rainfall?
  • Does the City of Boulder offer rebates or other incentives for water conservation measures?
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  • How is my sewer (wastewater) charge calculated with this new budget?
  • In the multifamily residence category, where did the city get the information about the number of units in buildings, as some possible errors have been observed? 
  • The upper tiers in the rate structure are significantly higher than the base rate. What is the justification for these surcharges when water costs a fixed amount?
  • If the City of Boulder collects excess revenues, what will happen to these revenues?
  • If all water customers were to stay within budget blocks 1 and 2, how would that affect usage and utility revenues?

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Why have we moved to water budgets?

The main purpose behind the water budget rate structure is to allow more flexibility to water users during times of mild to moderate drought.  The structure also helps to encourage continuing the water conservation efforts that Boulder residents have so successfully maintained since the drought of 2002.   

• The new structure is more flexible because it allows the city to adjust budgets quickly in the case of unexpected water shortages.  For example, if the city were to experience a moderate drought or prolonged infrastructure emergency (a significant or costly water main break), imposing watering restrictions would be a last resort.  Instead, the city would first lower water budgets and allow customers to determine how to use their budgeted water. 

• The water budget rate structure is a direct result of feedback the city received from the public during the last drought when customers endured strict watering restrictions and voiced opinions about wanting to have the ability to use their water how they wanted, even if it was a limited amount.  Water budgets give customers more personal choice.

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Is this just the city’s way of telling us not to water our lawns?

No, not at all.  The city wants you to take care of your landscape in efficient and water-conscious ways.  As long as you aren’t over watering or wasting water in other ways, you should have plenty of water to maintain a healthy landscape.  You can use more water than your budgeted amount; however, you will have to pay a higher price for that water. 

How you choose to use your budgeted water is up to you.  If you want to use more water for a flower garden, then you might consider areas of your lawn where you can cut back, perhaps by xeriscaping an area with drought-resistant vegetation.  Or perhaps, you have a swimming pool, and to make up for that extra water use, you might surround it with a patio rather than grass, or you might make sure to have water-efficient appliances in your house and implement indoor water-saving practices for your household members.  Water budgets are about choice.  It is up to you to choose how you use your water.

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Who decided we should have water budgets?

In December 2004, City Council directed staff to implement a new computer utility billing system and a new water rate structure that uses water budgets.

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What if I use more than my budgeted amount?

If you use more than your budget, you will be charged at a higher rate for the extra water you use. For example, see the chart below.  If your water usage is within your water budget, you will be billed for normal water usage (Blocks 1 and 2).  If you were to use more water in one month than your budgeted amount, you would be charged at a higher Block 3 rate for the extra water used (up to 150 percent of your budget). However, if you use less than 60 percent of your budget, you will be only charged the Block 1 rate, which is the lowest rate.

 

Why can't I take water I saved in one billing period and roll it forward to the next billing period?

This concept is called "water budget banking." The use of banking dilutes the water conservation advantages of the rate structure. For example, if a wet May-June period leads to water savings, it would not help the cause of water conservation if customers were encouraged to spend those savings later in the year through a water budget banking program.

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I’m having trouble staying within my monthly budgets.  What can I do?

If you feel that you’re using water wisely and still aren’t able to stay within your budget, you have a few options:

• You can apply for a water budget adjustment for some specific reasons.  See the water budget adjustment page for the details.
• You can request a free meter read to give you an idea of where you are prior to your next bill.  You are granted one free meter read every six months.  Any additional reads wihtin the same six months will be charged an extra fee to your account.  Or you can purchase a water monitor for $200 that will allow you to continually monitor your water use in-between bills.  
   
• You can look into additional water conservation options. The City of Boulder has a Water Conservation Program designed to help you with these efforts. Visit www.bouldersaveswater.net for conservation tips, rebate program information, to sign up for a free irrigation audit of your property, and other information.

• For commercial customers who use the same meter for both indoor and outdoor water use, you can install a separate irrigation meter through the meter incentive program.

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How can I track my water usage?

Keep an eye on your monthly bill. If you need more information than that, the city offers two alternative methods for you to get a sense of your water use between your monthly meter readings:

• You can purchase a water monitor for $200 from the city, which affixes to your refrigerator with a magnet and provides updated meter readings. In order for the monitor to be able to read your meter, the meter has to be upgraded. The $200 fee includes the labor and costs to upgrade your water meter as well as the cost of the monitor.  Only property owners can order water monitors. 
• Each customer is allowed one extra, complimentary meter reading every six months. Meter technicians will read your meter and leave a door hanger with the information. If you want an additional reading within that six-month timeframe, you will be charged an extra fee for each extra reading you request.  
• To order a water monitor  or request a meter reading, call Utility Billing at 303-441-3260. 

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What if I don't agree with the amount of water budgeted for me?

You can apply for a water budget adjustment for some specific reasons.  See the water budget adjustment page for the details.  The adjustment becomes effective the date it is received by the city.  To find out if your adjustment request has been granted, call Utility Billing at 303-441-3260. 

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Can I apply for an adjustment more than once?

Yes, you may apply for a water budget adjustment more than once. Please note that some documentation may be required in order to receive an adjustment.

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Who can I appeal to if my adjustment request is denied?

You may request a city hearing. 

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When will my meter be read? Can homeowners read their own meters? 

Water meters will continue to be read once a month and that water-use information will be conveyed to you each month on your water bill. Customers will only be billed for water used, regardless of their water budget amount.

Homeowners are not allowed to access their own meter.  This is for your own personal safety as well as safety and maintenance concerns for the meter.  City code prohibits the public from opening meter pits.

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Will budgets be increased for swimming pools?

No. The use of water for a pool is a choice made by the water customer. Customers can use their water budgets however they want. However, if they go over budget, they will pay more for the extra water they use.

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What considerations are made when calculating monthly budgets to account for gardens and maintenance of adjacent right-of-way areas?

Monthly budget allocations should provide enough water for maintaining right-of-way areas and some additional uses, especially for a single-family residence, provided the watering is done in an efficient and effective manner.  Right-of-way adjustments can be made when appropriate.  Beginning in June 2008, irrigation-only accounts will have public right-of-way areas automatically included in their irrigable area, as the associated right-of-way is often large for this account type.

If you want to use more water for your garden, then you might consider other areas where you can cut back on water use. Water budgets are about choice. It's up to you to choose how you use your water. 

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Is the budgeted amount of water really enough to grow things in Boulder even in winter?

Yes, the amount allocated provides enough water for healthy landscapes but not so much that it is easily wasted.  The majority of Boulder water customers currently use water quite effectively in creating and maintaining quality landscapes in this community.

Winter budget allocations were made to provide enough water for some outdoor, hand-watering during a dry winter. You should have enough water to address winter-time needs for trees and shrubs.  

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Does my monthly budget allow for watering trees in the winter months? If not, can I get more water?

Monthly water budgets were designed to be generously adequate for most of the city's 30,000 water customers. Single-family residential accounts are allocated 7,000 gallons per month during the winter (December - February). The average use for single-family accounts in these winter months is less than 5,000 gallons, so the additional 2,000 gallons per month could be used for winter watering of trees and shrubs (or however the customer chooses).

At this time, the city is not granting water budget adjustments for the watering of trees. We anticipate that in the future, refinements will be made to the water budget system based on customer input and data analysis. One such refinement may relate to winter watering.

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Why isn’t the outdoor portion of the water budget adjusted for actual rainfall?

Rainfall occurs in real time and cannot be included in a budget developed in advance. The budgets were based on historic weather patterns, including rainfall and were established to provide for the basic needs of turf. However, the new water budget rate structure does give the city flexibility in adjusting customer’s water budgets based on prolonged weather patterns such as drought.

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Does the City of Boulder offer rebates or other incentives for water conservation measures?

The City of Boulder does offer rebates for the installation of a variety of water-saving products. For rebate information as well as water conservation tips, visit the Water Conservation Office’s Web site at http://www.bouldersaveswater.net/.

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How is my sewer (wastewater) charge calculated with the water budget?

Wastewater charges consist of a fixed service charge and a quantity charge. The service charge is based on meter size and whether you are inside or outside city limits. During the Average Winter Consumption (AWC) calculation period (December - March), quantity charges are billed using actual water use. For the remainder of the year, charges for residential customers are based on AWC or actual water use, whichever is less. Commercial/industrail/institutional (CII) customers who use either the HMU or the AMU budget option are billed using each month's actual water use or AWC, whichever is less for all 12 months.  CII  customers using the Indoor/Outdoor budget option are charged for wastewater based on their actual water use.

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In the multifamily residence category, where did the city get the information about the number of units in buildings?

The city obtained the ‘number of units’ information from residential billing records.  If your account information is wrong, please contact Utility Billing at (303)-441-3260.     

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The upper tier rates are significantly higher than the base rate. What is the justification for these surcharges when water costs a fixed amount?

These increased rates in the upper tiers are not surcharges. The different tiers in the rate structure recognize that there are increased costs, primarily in the provision and development of additional water resources, related to higher levels of usage. In addition, the block 4 and 5 rates will provide a financial incentive if a customer uses more water than their monthly water budget. Increasing water rates based on usage is common practice in the water industry and is effective at discouraging wasteful water use.

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If the City of Boulder collects excess revenues, what will happen to these revenues?

The intent of the rate structure is to encourage water conservation, not to increase revenue. If the city collects more revenue than budgeted, the money could be used in years where actual revenues fall below budget projections. It could also be used to reduce or delay future rate increases that may be needed to cover increases in the operations and maintenance costs for the water facilities. Any excess revenue that is collected will stay within the water utility.

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If all water customers were to stay within budget blocks 1 and 2, how would that affect usage and utility revenues?

If all customers were to stay within their budgeted amount and there wasn't any usage in blocks 3, 4 or 5, the current rates would be too low to generate the required revenue for the city's Water Utility.  The city's Water Utility needs to generate revenue of about $20 million per year. (This does not include the budgets for the Stormwater or Wastewater utilities.)  The Utilities Division uses restricted funds, meaning all revenue collected by one utility (water, wastewater or stormwater/flood) stays within the utility to pay for all of its costs.  The water revenue collected is used to pay for such things as system maintenance and repairs, operations, and water quality processes.  Based on data from a rate analysis, the 2007 $2.50 base rate (Block 2) was chosen to ensure the utility would continue to collect enough revenue - but it also assumed that all the customers would NOT be able to stay within their budgets.  If a lower rate option ($2.10) had been chosen, the city would have been at greater risk to not collect enough revenue to cover costs, but if a higher rate option ($4.20) had been chosen, the city may have collected far more revenue than it needed.  

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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

 

Last Updated on Wednesday, 18 June 2008 08:44