Cold Weather Precautions

Cold weather will soon be upon us and with it, the threat of freezing temperatures.

FACT: Insurance industry sources believe that Texas insurance rates would be cut by about 18% or $130 on the average, if homeowners would protect their pipes, and thus prevent water damage and loss caused by freezing temperatures.

Here are a number of precautions you can take to guard against water loss resulting from the affects of freezing temperatures. (1) Insulate all outside faucets, especially those with a northern exposure. (2) Drain irrigation systems to prevent damage. (3) Insulate all above ground piping that remains in service during the winter, e.g. hydrants for livestock watering. It is also a good idea to protect these from the animals themselves, especially the horses. (4) Place a strip of insulating material inside your meter box positioning it to cover the meter itself. Make sure to replace your lid securely. If your meter box lid is missing, please call the office. (5) When leaving town for the Holidays, please check the extended forecast. If extremely cold temperatures are predicted, have a neighbor check your home occasionally for possible problems. In case of emergency, know where your water shut-off is located and have it accessible. It is recommended to find the meter shut-off and explain to all responsible household residents the process of shutting water off in case of an emergency. Of course, making sure your water utility has the correct contact information to speed up notification of emergencies is always a great idea.

Since its beginnings, BWSC has relied on water wells (groundwater) as its only source of water. However, with the recent availability of treated surface (lake) water via the state sanctioned Upper Trinity Regional Water District, water systems relying on ground water (wells) have been strongly encouraged to reduce their dependence on their wells and to convert in part or completely to the use of surface (lake) water. Recent Senate Bill 1 legislation has now more than ever-placed urgency on regulating and conserving the use of Texas' water resources. Therefore, in the future BWSC will depend extensively on the UTRWD to meet its' additional water requirements. However, with today's required treatment regulations, site acquisition costs, design/legal/construction costs and staffing expenses, the cost of surface water comes at a premium compared to similar costs associated with ground (well) water. Consequently, these higher surface water costs drive up water rates. Therefore in an effort to keep these additional surface water purchases and associated costs to a minimum, BWSC along with other water utilities locally and across the state are encouraging water conservation.

What is Water Conservation?

Water conservation, although often viewed as an infringement on an individual's right to "use as they please," is incorrect. Water Conservation is actually the concept of using less water wisely, while still achieving optimum results. Water conservation can be accomplished in a number of ways such as using native or water stingy plants or by simply using mulch to retain moisture around the plants. These are just a few of the ways to conserve water without sacrificing quality of life. For example, BWSC's Conservation Plan Stage 2, June 15-September 15, odd/even is designed to "smooth out" the peaks associated with summer demand and keep us from exceeding daily production capabilities while increasing the longevity of existing supplies and reducing the need to purchase additional water. On the other hand, water rationing, which is often confused with water conservation, is an enforced restriction on an individual's right to "use as they please". Water rationing is usually the direct result of a failure to practice water conservation.

BWSC is a water utility and in the business of selling water. We do however, encourage that water be used wisely.* This not only saves money for you the customer but it also reduces BWSC's need to purchase additional reserves of the more expensive surface water. As a water utility, BWSC must have facilities consisting of pumps, storage tanks, water mains and office/field staff in place to meet all demand levels. Our greatest demand occurs as a direct result of landscape irrigation during the summer months. In fact, a peak demand day in the summer can be 3 times that of a typical winter's day demand. These seasonal differences can be expected; however, any reduction in the amount of these seasonal peaks achieved through individual water conservation efforts by our members can reduce the need and expense of additional facilities and quantities of water. Such reductions will assist in keeping rates down. As you might expect, additional facilities and amounts of water cannot be constructed or purchased on a temporary basis. Once facilities and contracts for additional water are in place they must be maintained and demand charges must be paid on a permanent basis for the right to receive these extra quantities of water.

For example, the annual cost to reserve and have available 1 million gallons of surface water per day is $180,000. Based on current membership numbers this can equate to an additional $8.26 monthly for each member for this capacity which may only be needed for several days each summer to meet peak demands. Demands that could be realistically controlled through the practice of water conservation. BWSC could then reduce the need to reserve additional quantities of water and construct new facilities, etc., which would help maintain a lower cost for water and future rates.

How Much Water Is Enough? *

Individual water needs differ. However, preliminary studies by the Texas Commission on Environmental Qualty (TCEQ) indicate limits should be established. They propose that a typical household set as a goal a maximum usage of 50,000 gallons per any month during the summer. This maximum amount of 50,000 gallons does not regard lot size but it does assume a proportionate landscape to lot size ratio or one that could be maintained within reasonable limits during the heat of a Texas summer. With this information in mind, BWSC's new rates have been designed to address the cost of water, system improvements, and other budgetary requirements for the year 2001. BWSC has also incorporated the element of water conservation while giving adequate consideration to our customer's special needs. Members using amounts of water up to 80,000 gallons per month will find the cost per thousand gallons to be similar to the cost for that same amount of water as in 2000. These new rates are competitive, if not lower, than those charged by neighboring water utilities for the same amount. This is particularly true for the quantities of water we find typically consumed by over 90% of our customer base. However, those customers using amounts of water above 80,000 gallons per month, which is considered excessive by TCEQ and water industry standards, will find that the water comes at a cost representative of the precious resource that it is.

For reference you will find our new rates posted on this site.