Winter Weather Affect on Water and Sewer Charges

Water and Sewer Charges

With all the extra water being used either to drip faucets or if you experienced a water leak, you may be wondering how this will affect your sewer charges. We have a plan in place for just this type of situation. Highland Village uses a winter average (the lowest 3 of 4 months water usage from December to March) to determine your max monthly sewer charge. Each month, the lower of actual usage or this average is used to determine the sewer amount. Thus, excess water usage with an event such as a burst pipe or increased usage because of dripping faucets during this period will be discarded, as the highest month usage is thrown out.

For water charges, the City of Highland Village also has an ordinance to allow adjustments for documented residential water leaks. A billing adjustment is allowed for residents who provide proof of repairing a water leak.  Only one month’s billing may be considered for adjustment. To qualify for this adjustment, the usage of the month affected by the leak must exceed a seasonal average by at least 50%. The seasonal average may consist of adjacent months or corresponding months of a previous year or any combination thereof, and the resident must provide proof of the leak being repaired. As provided for in the City Ordinance, the adjustment is 50% of the difference in amounts associated with the billed usage and adjusted usage.