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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCollege Station Utilities Electric DivisionCollege Station Utilities Reliable, Affordable, Community Owned Electric Division Conservation Research For Your Information Residential Utility Service: • Frequently Asked Questions • Energy Conservation Recommendations • Utility Rates • Calculating Your Utility Bill • Reading Your Meter Energy Conservation: 764-3724 Utility Customer Service: 764-3535 TABLE OF CONTENTS Welcome 3 Frequently asked Questions 4 Selecting a Rental Home 7 Self Audit 8 Utility Billing Cycle 11 Utility Rates 11 Drainage Charge 12 Calculating Your Electric Bill 12 How to Read Your Electric Meter 13 Typical Home Consumption Graph 15 Water Conservation Tips (Lets Get Those Drips Outta Here!) 16 Landscape Watering Tips (Are You Watering Efficiently?) 18 Typical Home Water Usage Graphs 21 i' College Station Utilities Reliable, Affordable, Community Owned Electric Division (979) 764-3660 2 Welcome! College Station Utilities would like to welcome you to College Station, Texas. We thank you for choosing to make your home in our community. Our goal is to provide you with professional, helpful customer service and encourage you to use utilities wisely. This brochure is designed to educate you regarding College Station's utility billing process so that you can better understand your bill and the many variable factors that influence your utility costs. You will also find specific information that can assist you in conserving both energy and water. We encourage you to look over the information and recommendations in this brochure. If you find that you have other questions concerning specific, related information or if you are unable to find the cause of a utility bill that was higher than you expected, contact our Electrical Division Energy Conservation personnel at (979) 764-3660. Energy Conservation personnel can answer your questions or perform a free inspection of your home (energy audit) to help you determine the cause of high bills. They can also assist you with information regarding new home construction in College Station or replacement of an existing air conditioning system. If you have questions concerning payments, service connections or disconnections, contact the Utility Customer Service Office at (979) 764- 3535 or (800) 849-6623, or online at htti)://www.cstx.jzov/ucs. If you own or manage a business in College Station, you may be interested in the commercial version of this brochure, the Commercial Billing Handbook. Thank you again for choosing the City of College Station and College Station Utilities. 3 MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Utility Customer Services Online http://www.cstx.gov/ucs Automated Attendant 979/764-ePay 979/764-3535 or 800/849-6623 1. How do I get my utilities connected and turned on? Applications for all Utility Services may be made by phone (979/764- 3535 OR 800/849-6623), mail, fax, in person, or online at http://www.cstx.gov/ucs Utility accounts may be listed in one name only and the person whose name appears on the account is responsible for payment of the bills, deposits and other charges that may appear on the bill. (The City is not responsible for agreements made between roommates). 2. Is there a connection fee? Yes. The minimum fee for residential customers is $15.00 for electrical and $25.00 for both electric and water. This fee is billed on your first bill. 3. Is a deposit required for connection? In most cases, a deposit is not required to begin service. Accounts are monitored to make sure a prompt pay record is being maintained. If a prompt pay record is not maintained, the account will be assessed a deposit of $105.00 for electric and $30.00 for water. 4. If a deposit is required, when is it refunded? If a deposit has been paid, the deposit is refunded 2 to 4 weeks after service has been disconnected. A utility customer may request a refund of deposit after 12 consecutive payments with no more than two late payments. 5. Is identification required to establish service? Yes. A driver's license, student I.D. or social security card is required to establish service. 6. How long does it take to get my utility service connected? Generally, utility service can be connected the same day a request is received as long as the request is received before 1:00 p.m. This is subject to change based on demand. Understand that many of our customers are students, and many accounts are connected and disconnected in mid-May and mid-August. If you need service established during these times, it is best to contact us several days in advance. 7. Is the procedure the same for mobile homes? Yes, but in addition, an inspection by the College Station Development Services Department is required for all mobile homes.r before service can be connected. The Development Services 4 f,, Department may be reached at (979)-764-3570. Tel Us About Our Web Site 4 8. What is the utility billing period? Bills are prepared from readings taken monthly, by cycles usually around the same day each month. Billing periods are approximately 25to 35 days. 9. Will my meter be read each month? Yes. The meter is read monthly. Estimated readings are made only if access to the meter is unavailable, i.e. locked gate, dogs, etc. Every effort will be made to read the meter each month. If your gate is locked, or you have dogs that would pose a threat to our readers, please make sure adequate access is provided on your read days. For dates your meter will be read, look up the link: http://epay.cstx.gov To access this link, you will need either your account number or your billing cycle, which can be found on your utility statement. 10. Can I read the meter myself? Not for billing purposes. You can read the meter if you would like to check the City's readings, or for your own information. 11. What if my meter is inaccessible? Denying access to the meter is a violation of City Ordinance. 12. What is the due date for the payment of my bill? Utility bills are due 15 days from the date they are mailed. Payment must be received in the utility billing office on or before the due date. 13. Is there a penalty for late payment? Yes. Past due bills are charged a late fee that cannot be waived or relieved. This fee is 10% of the net billing, or a minimum of $10.00. 14. Can I access my account and pay online at epay.cstx.2ov? Yes. You can use this link to access your utility account. All you need is your utility account number, which can be found on your billing statement. Through this link you can view your current statement, service summary and a monthly chart showing your usage. Payments can be made using MasterCard, Visa or Discover. Online payments will be reflected on your utility account within 24 to 36 hours. C redit . 15. Do you offer Bank Drafting or Budget Billing programs? Yes. Bank Drafting is available. When on a bank draft, you will receive your utility bill for auditing purposes only. On the due date, the funds will be transferred from your checking account. Call our office for a sign up form or you may print one from our website epay.cstx.gov using the link at the bottom of the page. Budget Billing College Station Utilities also offers a Budget Billing program for customers who have established at least 12 months of billing history at their current service location. With budget billing, an average of the last 12 month's bills is used to determine the monthly budget amount. This amount will be billed over the next 11 months with the 12th bill being a settle up bill. Contact a customer service representative for more information. 16. How can I have my utilities reconnected if my service is disconnected for non- payment? Service will be restored when all outstanding amounts have been paid. 17. Can I have my meter tested? Yes. The meter can be tested by the metering department. The fee for this service is $25 and is due in advance. If the meter is found to be malfunctioning, the fee will be refunded and an adjustment made for any overcharge related to the meter problem. If the meter is correct, the fee will not be returned. It is unlikely that your meter will malfunction. For this reason, we recommend a free energy audit from Energy Conservation personnel prior to requesting a meter test. An energy audit will assist you in identifying energy-related problems with your residence. The energy auditor may determine that the meter test is required. In this case, there is no fee. 18. Who pays for water lost in a water leak? f If the water leak is on the customer's side of the meter, the f customer is responsible. If the water leak is on the City's 0✓,., side, the meter will not register the water lost. 19. What happens if my meter is damaged? The customer is responsible for all damages. m SELECTING A RENTAL HOME L_ A good time to think about energy costs is before you sign a lease or commit to a rental contract. Listed below are a few suggestions that will assist you in making an informed decision. 1. Choose an apartment in the middle of the building, protected from extremes of the heat and cold. 2. Consider a ground floor unit. Top floor units receive the most radiant heating from the attic spaces and also heat rising from the unconditioned/unoccupied apartments below. 3. Choose a home with southern exposure. Use the morning sun in the winter to reduce heating bills. 4. Consider an apartment well back in a courtyard or on the opposite side from prevailing winds. 5. Check caulking around doors and windows inside and outside. Check for proper weather-stripping of exterior doors and windows. A poorly sealed home can allow enough air infiltration to add more than a 30 % load on the heating and cooling systems. 6. Determine the type of heating equipment. Natural gas is generally more cost effective than electric heat pumps or strip heat. 7. Determine the water heater's type. A gas water heater is more cost effective than an electric water heater. 8. A well shaded home will yield lower air conditioning cost. 9. Check the age and condition of the air conditioning and heating equipment. Identical floor plans can differ greatly in the age and condition of the HVAC system. 10. Investigate attic spaces if possible to check insulation and air leakage from the attic into the living space. 11. Make sure the heating and cooling equipment has been properly maintained prior to moving in, evaporator and condenser coils cleaned, coolant charge checked and a clean return air filter. 7 SELF ENERGY AUDIT The three main elements that directly affect energy usage in your home are weather, occupancy, and run hours of appliances. When any of these items change it will significantly impact your homes energy consumption. The main factor in managing energy consumption is knowing where it is going. What in my home is using the most energy, and what can be done to reduce its consumption? ❑ Collect previous occupant's utility billing data from the Utility Customer Service. Check electric and water consumption on the previous bills, and identify your utility meter by meter number. ❑ Locate your electrical breaker box and turn breakers off. Note which breakers control particular circuits in your home and make sure the proper circuits are labeled and noted on the door panel. Reset breakers. Turn off the Main Breaker. If any of the electric utilities are on inside, contact the Utility Department for instructions. ❑ Read your meter regularly to determine the normal amount of electricity you use in a week. If you notice a drastic increase, investigate the cause. ❑ Turn down the temperature on your electric water heater to 120 degrees. Decreasing the temperature will save energy dollars and keep you and your children from injury by scalding water. ❑ Add a water heater insulation blanket and hot water pipe wrap. This is very beneficial if the water heater is subjected to the outside temperatures. ❑ Install a timer on the electric water heater to turn it off when no one is home. Always turn the water heater off if leaving for an extended period of time (Christmas, Spring Break, etc.). ❑ Drain a few gallons out of the water heater drain at the base of the tank every six months to deter sediment buildup and maintain efficiency. ❑ Change the air conditioning filter monthly. The filter needs to be changed or cleaned if you have a reusable filter every 30 days. A good reminder is to automatically change your filter whenever you receive your utility bill. A dirty filter can increase the air conditioning electrical consumption by as much as 15 %. 8 ❑ Make sure the air conditioning and heating equipment has been serviced within the past year and then have serviced at least annually. An annual inspection is crucial for maintaining proper operation and safety of a gas furnace. An annual preventive maintenance program can reduce operating cost by as much as 20%, extend the life of the equipment and improve air quality. ❑ If the air conditioning system has a wall return air vent, ensure that it is sealed at the attic and return air plenum. ❑ Install a programmable thermostat on the A/C system to set back temperatures when no one is at home. Occupied settings should be 78 degrees for summer cooling and 68 for winter heating. ❑ If you have a gas furnace or other gas appliances, (dryer, water heater, etc.), consider installing a carbon monoxide (CO) detector. Also, annually \� check smoke detectors for proper operation and change the batteries. ❑ The use of ceiling fans can make the air feel 5 degrees cooler. Fans assist in cooling by removing the heat and humidity from the body. Remember to turn fans off whenever the room is not occupied. Most ceiling fans consume as much energy as a 60 watt light bulb. ❑ Check window and door seals for proper caulking and weatherstripping. No light should be visible anywhere around the exterior doors and the windows should be caulked flush to the frame and under the sills. ❑ If your home has an attic stairwell located within the house, it should shut tightly and have weather-stripping around the opening and door. ❑ Use blinds, shades, or drapes to block the sun during the heat of the summer, and keep closed in the evening in the winter to retain heat. Consider installing solar screens or Low E Solar film on east and west exposed windows. Solar screens and or Low E film can block up to 80% of solar rays while still allowing natural lighting and visibility. ❑ Check for holes in the drywall around plumbing penetrations under sinks, water heater closets, and laundry rooms. All holes and openings should be sealed with caulk or expanding foam. ❑ Check the fireplace flue chase from the attic to insure the opening is properly fireblocked and not open into the chimney chase. ❑ Keep the fireplace flue damper and glass doors closed when not in use. Keep the glass doors closed when burning a wood fire to avoid drawing warm room air through the chimney. 9 ❑ Reduce the temperature on waterbed heaters and keep the beds made up. Turn off ceiling fans over waterbeds when not in use. Making the bed insulates against heat loss and reduces energy use by one third. ❑ Check the refrigerator moisture control switch. Keep the switch set on the "energy saver" or "dry conditions" setting unless you have noticeable condensation forming on the exterior of the box. Check door seals for proper closing, and inspect coils on the back or bottom of the refrigerator to ensure they are cleaned. The coils should be cleaned every six months to maintain efficient operation of the refrigerator. A vacuum wand or damp cloth can be used to clean the coils. Make sure the temperature setting is proper for energy savings and food safety. The recommended temperature is 38-40 degrees for the refrigerator and 0-5 degrees for the freezer. ❑ Make sure clothes dryers are properly vented and the vent pipe is clean and free of any obstructions. Clean the dryer lint trap after each use. ❑ Wash clothes in cold water when possible and try to wash only full loads. ❑ Run the dishwasher only when full, and use the airqW 410 dry function. ❑ Check light bulb wattages. Use compact fluorescent bulbs to save up to 75% on lighting cost. If you cannot use compact fluorescents in some fixtures, use lower wattage bulbs such as 40 or 60 -watt bulbs instead of 75 or 100 watts. m ❑ Check for leaking or dripping faucets, make certain that toilets do not leak or run intermittently. If faucets are leaking hot water, it can dramatically increase energy usage, especially if you have an electric water heater. ❑ When you leave for any extended period of time, (vacation, Christmas, spring break, etc.), understand that your air conditioner/heater will operate if the thermostat is set in the Auto mode. We recommend turning off all appliances, including the refrigerator, to avoid higher than anticipated utility bills upon your return. During cold weather you may need to leave the heat on to prevent pipe freezing. If you are renting you may need to check with your landlord. Flex your 10 POM 10 UTILITY BILLING CYCLE The City of College Station is divided into ten billing areas or cycles. Utility bills are generally mailed the same time each month. The billing cycle is noted on your utility bill. Utility bills are due 15 days after being mailed from our office. It is the customer's responsibility to call our office or inquire online if bills have not been received by the normal date. A 10% penalty is assessed on all amounts not received by the due date. Once a penalty has been assessed, it cannot be waived. If any portion of the bill is paid after the due date that does not contain the proper late fee, the account will be considered past due. UTILITY RATES Each utility bill gives the beginning meter reading, the ending meter reading, the total consumption used for the billing period, and the dates covered by the current period. Copies of our rate schedules may be obtained from the Utility Customer Service Office at (979) 764-3535. All accounts also include sanitation, (trash pick up) sewer, (sewer charge is based on amount of water used) drainage (maintenance for ditches and drainage areas throughout the city) and water unless paid by the landlord. See table below for current residential rates. Current Residential Utility Rates Monthly Service Charge $7.00 Energy Charge, 1 500 kWh $0.1063 All Additional kWh, May -October $0.0966 All Additional kWh, November -April $0.0876 Tax 1.5% Water Service Charge $9.99 Water Usage Charge (0-10) mgw Next 11-15 mgw Next 16-20 mgw Next 21-25 mgw All over 26 + mgw $2.22 $2.88 $3.54 $4.20 $4.86 Sewer Service Charge (First 4000gallons) $16.54 Sewer 4,000-10,000 gallons metered water $3.31 per 1000 gallons (Max charge 5000 al.) Sewer 10,000 gallons & U $36.40 maximum Sewer Multi Family $21.04 Flat Rate Sanitation, Single Container $6.75 Sanitation, Additional Container $10.10 Sanitation, Curbside Pickup $14.40 Sanitation, Tax 8.25% Sanitation Residential Drainage (multi family) $2.25 Sanitation Residential Drainage (single family) $5.00 11 DRAINAGE The City of College Station's drainage system is a utility just like the water, sewage, and electric service systems are utilities. Drainage system costs are significant and the drainage utility billing item is used to offset these expenses. Even if you do not have a creek or drainage area on your property, some of the water that flows through the creeks and drainages originates from your property. Collecting the drainage fee allows the City to provide channel improvements such as bank stabilization and enlargement, detention pond construction, improvements to bridges and culvert crossings, and the purchasing of easements and right-of-ways for drainage projects. CALCULATING YOUR ELECTRIC BILL IN COLLEGE STATION EXAMPLE: Using the rates in the previous table, suppose you used 1,200 kWh in January and again in June. The calculations would look like this: JANUARY CALCULATUIONS 500 kWh x $0.0975 = $48.75 700 kWh x $0.0804 = $56.28 $105.03 Plus Service Charge $ 7.00 JANUARY TOTAL: $112.03 12 JUNE CALCULATIONS 500 kWh x $0.0975 = $48.75 700 kWh x $0.0886 = $62.02 $110.77 $ 7.00 JUNE TOTAL: $117.77 HOW TO READ THAT MYSTERIOUS METER ON THE SIDE OF YOUR HOUSE Reading your own electric meter is a good way to know how much you are spending on electricity. The City of College Station's residential rates are among the lowest in the state and the City will continue to keep rates �- low, while offering more competitive and more energy efficient ways to use electricity. Your electric meter measures the amount of electricity used in terms of kilowatt hours (kWh). A kilowatt hour is 1,000 watts of electricity used in one hour. For example, if you burn a 100 -watt light bulb for ten hours, you have just used the equivalent of one kilowatt hour. There are several types of electric meters. The City of College Station primarily uses two types of meters for residential service. One type (refer to picture below) is referred to as a Dial meter, they have four to five dials very much like a watch. This type of meter is a little tricky to read. If you look closely, you will see that some of the hands on the dials turn clockwise and every other dial turns counter clockwise. To read the meter, just write down the number that each hand has just passed. Start with the dial on the far left and proceed to the right. If the hand is between two numbers, write down the number that the hand has just passed (the lower number). Dial Meter KILCOWATT-MOYRB a 2 r— 9 S\, '2 a ?fl' 54:.. The reading is 66,649. 13 The other type of meter (refer to picture below) is referred to as a Digital meter. This type of meter is very easy to read as it is read like the odometer on your car. Some digital meters (usually 4 digit types) will have a multiplier number to multiply the meter reading by; (usually 10). This will be indicated on the face of the meter: "Multiply Meter Reading by 10" or similar instructions. Simply take the meter reading and multiply by the meter multiplier for the result. Subtract the previous meter reading from your current reading to determine actual kWh usage. Digital Meter The reading is 46372 14 Typical Home Energy Consumption with Electric Heat During the Cooling Season Othe Cloth Drye Refrigerator 8% Lighting 5% 10% 9% ater Heating if electric 20% it Conditioning 48% Typical Home Energy Consumption with Electric Heat During the Heating Season the Cloth Dryer 5% Refrato 6% Li htin g 9 E8% ate r Heating 17% Electric Hea 54% 15 l�Aim LET'S GET THOSE DRIPS OUTTA HERE! Water leaks can contribute to hundreds of gallons of wasted water each month. Dripping faucets and leaking toilets are the main contributors in most homes. Keep in mind that water leaks cost you money and waste both water and energy if the source is a hot water tap. In most cases, the cost to repair the leak is insignificant compared to the dollars saved in water cost. ❑ Toilet Leaks: Toilets are notorious for hidden or silent leaks. Toilet leaks can occur in two ways. The most common, and often the hardest type of leak to detect are caused by a deteriorated flush valve (flapper) at the bottom of the toilet tank. To test for this type of leak, add a drop of food coloring or dye tablet (available through College Station Utilities) in the toilet tank after it has stopped filling. DO NOT FLUSH the toilet. Wait about ten minutes; if the coloring or dye appears in the bowl, the flapper is leaking and needs to be replaced. The second most common type of toilet leak is caused by an improperly adjusted or broken fill valve. If the float is set too high or fails to close completely, water will continue to enter the tank and flow into the overflow tube. This type of leak can be seen simply by taking the tank top off and observing the water level at the overflow tube. ❑ Faucet Leaks: Faucet leaks are more obvious. However, seldom -used taps outside the house should be checked periodically. The cause of faucet leaks is frequently a worn washer that can be easily replaced. Replacement washers can be purchased from most hardware and or home improvement stores for only a few cents. Water Wasted in One Month from Water Leaks 1. 2. 3. 4. gallons/month 1. A slow steady drip 350 Z. A fast drip 600 + 3. A small stream 2,000-2,700 i 4. A large stream 4,000 a 16 ❑ Water Heaters: All water heaters and associated plumbing should be inspected annually for water leaks. Every water heater (gas or electric) is equipped with a pressure relief valve (normally located on the topside of the tank) to prevent a buildup of pressure due to a malfunctioning thermostat. With age, this valve can go bad allowing water to leak through. The valve should be checked periodically to ensure that it has not failed and is leaking water. The relief valve should be piped to the outside and in most homes the drainpipe can be traced to an outside location and physically inspected for dripping water. If the drain line is not visible or cannot be located, you can carefully touch the bottom of the drainpipe a few inches from the valve to determine if the pipe is warm. If the pipe feels warm to the touch, most likely the valve has failed allowing hot water into the drain line. If the valve needs to be replaced, a licensed plumber should be called to make the necessary repair. Hot Supply Thermostat F Flue old Intake Relief Valve Drain Valve All water heaters, whether gas or electric, should be inspected annually for water leaks. ARE YOU WATERING EFFICIENTLY OR ARE YOU PAYING FOR MORE WATER THAN YOU NEED? If you don't know how much water your manual sprinkler or automatic irrigation system applies in a certain time period, it's difficult to water your landscape efficiently. You could easily wind up applying too much water, which is a waste of money and resources, and doesn't do your plants any favors either. The first step toward watering your landscape efficiently is to perform an Audit of your sprinkler system. For outside watering, here's an easy way to gauge your '- - - sprinkling needs: "DO IT YOURSELF" LANDSCAPE WATER AUDIT ❑ Set 4 to 6 12 -oz. tuna cans, cat food cans, pie tins, (or similar type can) in a grid pattern on the lawn, halfway between the sprinkler heads and areas that receive the least amount of water. Be sure to set out one container at the outside edge of the watering coverage. ❑ Run the sprinkler system for 10 minutes. ❑ Using a ruler, measure the amount of water collected in each can in inches. ❑ Add the measurements from each container and then divide the totals by the number of containers to get an average. ❑ Multiply this average by six to determine how many inches of water your watering system applies in one hour. ❑ Keep track of rainfall using a rain gauge. If it rains an inch or more, wait about a week to water. 18 KNOWING HOW MUCH TO WATER THE LAWN Did you know that lawns receive twice as much water as they need? Once you have determined how much water your sprinkler system puts out, the next step is to find put how much water your landscape needs and how often this water should be applied. The key to watering lawns efficiently is to water infrequently but thoroughly. To know when to water a lawn, simply observe the grass. If footprints stay on the grass after it is walked on, the grass needs water. Most lawns do well with 1 to 1.5 inches of water a week, including rainfall. Watering only when needed and watering thoroughly produces a deep-rooted lawn that is more efficient and drought -tolerant. General watering frequencies for different types of grass are listed below in order of least often to most often. Buffalo Grass: Common Bermuda: Hybrid Bermuda: St. Augustine: every 2 to 5 weeks every 8 to 10 days every 5 to 8 days every 4 to 5 days Remember: excessively hot and dry weather will cause most grasses to go dormant and turn brown. Grass will green up with cooler temperatures, so resist the temptation to over water. ET: It's NOT Extra -Terrestrial! An even better way to determine how much water your lawn needs and how often water should be applied is to adjust your watering practices based on the evapotranspiration rate, or ET. Evapotranspiration (ET) is a measurement of the total amount of water needed to grow plants and crops. ET values for the College Station area can be found at the new website http://texaset.tamu.edu. The website calculates how much water your grass needs by factoring in the type of grass, effective rainfall, sun exposure, and sprinkler precipitation rate. ET values are obtained from weather stations all around Texas. Note: The weather station for the College Station area is located at the TAMU Golf Course. WATERING TIPS FOR TREES AND SHRUBS Trees and shrubs need more frequent watering from planting time until they are established which may take up to two growing seasons. Once established, plants can then be weaned to tolerate less frequent watering. Proper watering develops deep roots and makes the plants more drought resistant. 19 As with lawns, water established trees, shrubs and ground covers infrequently, yet thoroughly. The feeding root system of a tree or shrub is located within the top 12 inches of the soil and at the "drip line" of the plant. The drip line is the area directly below the outermost reaches of the branches. More Good Water Conservation Tips • Reduce watering frequency to once every 5 days. This encourages deeper, more drought -tolerant roots. (College Station's Drought Contingency Plan also recommends watering between 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m.) • Apply mulch around trees and plants to retain moisture and prevent evaporation. • If your sprinkler sprays a fine mist, you are losing a lot of water to evaporation! Try a different sprinkler head or a drip irrigation system. • Avoid watering on windy days. • When washing your car, use a cut-off nozzle (or bucket) instead of running the hose continuously. This can save 8 gallons of water per minute. • When installing a new lawn or planning landscaping, consider using plant and grass varieties that are adapted to your site and require little supplemental water once established. Contact the Brazos County Cooperative Extension Office at (979) 823- 0129, or College Station Utilities at (979) 764-6223 to learn more. • Add a rain sensor to your automatic irrigation system. There are few landscape practices more wasteful than a sprinkler system running during a rainstorm! These simple devices cost around $35 to $40 plus installation, and make a significant difference in water savings. References: Texas Water Development Board http://www.twdb.org Watersmart.org: http://www.watersmart.org 20 Typical Home Water Usage ILeaksl Other Bath 13.7% 2.2% 1.70/ Faucets 15 7% Dishwasher kaa Showers .. 16.8% Faucets 21.8% Clothes Washer 22% Typical Home Water Consumption With Conservation FA eaks Other 3,1% Bath 2.4°/ Dishwasher 10.1 % 2.0% the Washe 21.3% orCollege Station Utilities Reliable, Affordable, Community Owned Electric Division (979) 764-3660