|
|
|
|
Home> Drought
Drought Rates and Allocations Frequently Asked Questions
How much are the drought rates? Drought water rates include a 10 percent increase in volume charges for all customers and a $2 surcharge for each unit (748 gallons or 100 cubic feet) of water used above a customer's individual allocation. Residential customers using less than 100 gallons per day are exempt from the increased rates and surcharges. What can I do to avoid drought surcharges on my water bill? You will get a letter by mid-August showing your account’s water use allocation for upcoming billing periods. If you use less than the amount of water you are allocated in each billing period, then you will not pay a drought surcharge. Is my allocation based on a year’s average or based on each bill? Allocations are based on use in each billing period (two months for most customers) over the past three years when available.
back
to top If you
have no billing history, we’ll use the average consumption for your customer
classification (single family, multi-family, etc.) and zip code, or the water
use by the prior resident, or other appropriate methods will be used to set the
allocation. If you have questions, contact 1-866-40-EBMUD. I cut back my water use voluntarily in response to an EBMUD request recently. Isn’t it unfair to use that period in calculating my share? Thank you for responding to the request for voluntary conservation. Your allocation is based on a three-year average, so most allocations should be sufficient even with some prior conservation. If you have further questions, contact 1-866-40-EBMUD. What happens if I don’t meet the rationing goal for a single family home? To get the needed water savings Districtwide, all residential customers must conserve 19 percent. Individual single family customer accounts will be billed a drought surcharge on high water use if they fail to reduce their water use by at least 10% from their average use over the same billing period in the past three years. What changes do I need to make to save 19 percent? EBMUD
offers a free self-survey kit to help you find ways to reduce your use and free
water-saving devices.
Rebates make new high-efficiency toilets and clothes
washers more affordable. View water-saving tips for
residential customers and
large irrigators. A. Special circumstances will be considered, as in prior
droughts. Documented medical needs may qualify. A change in occupancy or existing maximum feasible conservation
measures would be considered. Also, adverse economic effects, such as loss of
business, or adverse impacts on public health, sanitation, fire protection or
public safety could qualify. (The adjustment is only for the drought surcharge
on high water use.) Customers can apply for a
drought water use allocation adjustment. If I change how I use water, how can I know whether I’m meeting my goal? EBMUD will report your water use to you, but that only
happens when you get your bi-monthly bill. You can monitor your household’s
water consumption as frequently as you want by
reading your water meter.
|
