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Winter Averaging

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Wastewater/Winter Water Averaging - For Single Family Residential Customers Only

The goal of winter averaging is to help ensure that single family residential customers are billed for water that is not coming back to the City as wastewater. An average customer in Fulshear should see a reduction in their wastewater charges in summer months. Wastewater averaging is done during the winter months and determines a cap on the volume of wastewater you are billed each month for the following year.

The city uses your November, January and February wastewater metered use for the annual average. 

 

Wastewater(Sewer) Averaging Fact Sheet

How am I billed for service?

  • The monthly customer charge is a fixed fee updated each year in March.
  • Wastewater averaging is calculated from November to February when most of the water goes directly into the sanitary sewer system versus being used for outdoor watering. The city pulls your November, January and February wastewater billing reads for the annual average.
  • Your new wastewater average will begin with your April bill each year. However, for 2023, your wastewater average will begin with the May bill.
  • If you start service after averaging was calculated, you will be billed at 6,000 gallons a month temporarily until the next averaging.
  • If you use less than your winter average in any one month, that month will be billed at the actual metered use; but no less than 5,000 gallons

How can I reduce my wastewater bill? Reducing overall water use during the winter averaging period is essential in cutting your sewer charges. Here are ways to reduce use of water:

  • Fix all leaks as soon as possible (toilets, service lines, irrigation systems). 
  • Turn off irrigation systems or reduce use during winter averaging.
  • Consider replacing old toilets with new, water-efficient models.
  • Replace old shower heads and faucet aerators with new, efficient models.
  • Use only the water that is needed when washing hands, dishes or brushing teeth.
  • Do not drain and fill swimming pools during winter averaging, if possible. 

Why does the City use a wastewater average as the basis for my wastewater bill?  Your water meter measures your monthly water use, but there is no meter on your wastewater line. Wastewater averaging provides a measure that is generally reflective of the amount of water that goes directly into the sanitary sewer system from your property.

Why is wastewater averaging done November, January and February?  Usually outdoor watering is minimal during the late fall and winter months; therefore it is easier to estimate the actual amount of water that goes directly into the sanitary sewer system versus being used for outdoor watering.

Why do I pay more for wastewater than I do for my water?   The cost of providing wastewater services is higher than the cost of providing water services. After the water you use goes down the drain, or is flushed, it must be treated to a high standard before it is discharged into a receiving water body.

 

 

 

Let's Discuss The Basics:

There are at least two sets of separate plumbing subsystems running through every home or place of business: pipes that supply clean, treated water into the facility and those that carry used water (known as “wastewater” or dirty water) out. Both of these systems require the water to be treated. The clean water originates at the water treatment plant where certified water operators convert ground water from wells to drinking water standards. The wastewater, if not managed by an onsite sewage facility (septic system), is directed to a wastewater treatment plant where the dirty water is treated to the highest standards required for safe discharge into receiving water bodies or reuse in irrigation systems. Customers water use is measured by a water meter, typically located at the edge of each property near the curb. Because there is not a separate meter on the wastewater lines, an alternate method for tracking usage is needed. Many utilities utilize what is known as “Winter Averaging” to estimate this usage from year to year.

 

 Tracking Wastewater Volume
Think of all the ways you use water in your house: bathing, flushing the toilet, washing clothes and dishes, cooking, etc. Where does all of this water go? Now, think of all the ways you use water outside the house: to irrigate landscaping, wash the car, fill the pool, etc. Where does all of this water go? Typically, your indoor water use runs into your wastewater plumbing subsystem and eventually to our wastewater treatment plant. The water you use on the outside of your house, however, either seeps into the ground or is evaporated. Think about what time of year your outdoor water use is highest. Summer, right? Outdoor use is minimal in winter because most outdoor activities are minimal. This period of outdoor low usage is when we implement “Winter Averaging” to get a better average for how much of our customers’ water use is directed to our wastewater treatment plant.

How much do I pay for my water and wastewater services?
Your water bill is calculated using how much water is used each month plus a base fee for the size or the meter that measures the water use. For example, if your meter size is either a 3/4", 5/8" inch or 1" (typical in most residential homes), then the base fee is $13.44. The other part of your water cost is how much water is used. The first 5,000 gallons is at no cost, each 1,000 gallons after that is charged according to a rate structure. (Ordinance 2023-1416).

 

An example of a 10,000 gallon measured use is:

Base Fee: $13.44

First 5,000 Gal.: $0.00

Next 5,000 Gal. (at $2.77/1,000 Gal.): $13.85

Total Water fee: $27.29

*Important note: this does not include the North Fort Bend Water Authority Fee

Your wastewater bill will now be calculated based on the Winter Avg. (Ex. 10,000 Gal.): November, January and February average use. The fees charged here are as follows:

Base fee for first 5,000 Gal. is $17.07 and then each 1,000 Gal. after that is $8.56. So for the same 10,000 Gal. shown above, the wastewater part of the bill is:

Base fee (1st 5,000 Gal.): $17.07

Next 5,000 Gal. (x$8.56): $42.80

Total Wastewater fee: $59.87

The total Water and Wastewater calculate fee that would be seen on a utility bill would total to $87.16. (This is only a portion of the fees shown on the utility bill. All services are subject to sales tax)

 

 Water Vs. Wastewater Charges
To be clear, Winter Averaging does not affect the customer’s clean (potable) drinking water volume charges. Potable water volume charges are calculated by the amount of water flowing into a home or place of business through the water meter assigned to each property. The charge will vary from billing cycle to billing cycle. However, wastewater volume charges are averaged out to remain the same on each bill cycle for 12 months.