FAIR OAKS RANCH — The city has eased water restrictions in the wake of last month’s soaking rains, including a massive 10 inches recorded during July 15 flooding.
The city moved to Stage 1 water restrictions effective Aug. 1, which means some consumers will see lowered surcharges, officials said.
City Manager Scott Huizenga said Fair Oaks Ranch practices and enforces water restrictions year-round.
Drought surcharges for residents and commercial users kick in when the town moves from Stage 1 to the more-restrictive Stage 2, Huizenga said.
• In Stage 2, water usage over 15,000 gallons is saddled with a surcharge per 1,000 gallons of use at a rate of $5 per 1,000 gallons for users of 15,000 to 20,000 gallons monthly.
• In Stage 1, a surcharge does not kick in until more than 25,000 gallons is used – users of 20,000 to 40,000 gallons a month would pay $5 per 1,000 gallons.
The rates also decrease along al l water- use levels. For example, 75,000-100,000-gallon users pay $20 per 1,000 gallons under Stage 2, but only $10 per 1,000 gallons in Stage 1.
Huizenga said if residents continue to manage their usage during the peak summer season, the fall may see the drought contingency plan put on hold altogether.
“This fall, if we stay at this level, then we can rescind the drought contingency plan, which means we would no longer have drought surcharges,” Huizenga said.
Fair Oaks Ranch Utilities customers are reminded that Stage 1 drought restrictions include:
• All landscape watering permits issued prior to the implementation of Stage 1 restrictions are rescinded. Watering is on a once-perweek schedule, according to home address.
• Implementation of a surcharge on all water used over 20,000 gallons per residential account per billing period, and 50,000 gallons per commercial account per billing period (as opposed to 15,000 in Stage 2).
• Commercial car washing (using nonrecycled technology) is banned.
• Reduce water main flushing to what is required to mai n tain qual i ty standards.
More information can be found by visiting fairoaksranchtx. org/ 230/ Drought-Contingency-Plan.
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