AUSTIN — During the winter, utility companies like Texas Water Utilities have a process called “winter wastewater averaging,” which is a process that allows them to calculate the amount of water waste in a household. That, in turn, determines the annual wastewater charges for that household.
According to Tim Williford, the vice president of operations for Texas Water Utilities, winter wastewater averaging is usually done between the months of December and February. The reason it’s done in the winter is because it gives a more accurate reading of water usage in the household.
During this season, residents aren’t watering the grass or plants as much; they’re not using their swimming pool.
Residents should know about winter wastewater averaging because it allows the resident to make “informed choices about your water use and better understand your monthly bill,” said Williford.
“Even as we enter the winter months, much of our state continues to be in a drought, so it’s important to conserve water whenever possible to prevent water shortages ahead of extreme summer drought and practice good water stewardship year round,” said Eric Sabolsice, senior vice president of operations for Texas Water Utilities.
Other ways of conserving water during winter wastewater averaging, and throughout the year, include being mindful of daily usage, not only to lower the water bill, but also to conserve water during a drought.
“If you have a swimming pool, for instance, you want to fill that pool up before the winter averaging begins because that's water that you don't want to capture during your averaging period. It would reduce the cost of the averaging in your wastewater bill,” said Williford. “Installing low use toilets and different types of faucets. Also, when you're brushing your teeth, wet your toothbrush then turn the water off. You can either soap up in your shower and turn that off while you shampoo and then, use the water to rinse off and just try to cut down on that.”
To learn more about winter wastewater averaging, visit bit.ly/3VxPrqn. Residents who have questions about wastewater rates should direct them to their respective water providers.
