BUDA — The city of Buda conducts its annual wastewater (sewer) rate averaging every year from November through February. During this timeframe, residents have an opportunity to make changes that can have a positive effect on future bills.
Residents who take measures to reduce water consumption and fix leaks during this period can reduce the amount charged over the preceding 12 months for the wastewater portion of their bills. Because there is no meter on the wastewater line, the city uses wastewater averaging during the winter months when outdoor water usage is at its lowest. The city takes the average of the three lowest usage months during this 4-month period to determine your wastewater charges for the next year. The less water that is used during this period, the more residents will save on the wastewater portion of the bill.
Goforth Water Customers will need to supply the city of Buda Utilities Department with water usage for November and December 2023 and January and February 2024. The new sewer average billing will go out in March and is due on April 10. The sewer charge will stay the same until next year when the city averages again.
Questions about wastewater averaging may be directed to the city of Buda Utilities Department at 512-295-8845. Frequently Asked Questions are listed below:
1. What is a wastewater average? Wastewater averaging is a way for you to save money. Wastewater averaging takes place during the winter months and determines a cap on the volume of wastewater you will be billed for each month for the next year. You will be billed for wastewater volume charges at the lower of your wastewater average or your water volume, whichever is lower.
2. 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.
3. How is my wastewater average calculated? 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.
4. Can I choose different months to determine my wastewater average? No, the months used to determine your wastewater average are determined by the dates of your billing cycles that occur during the established winter averaging period.
5. How can I lower my wastewater bill? Conserving water and fixing leaks during the wastewater averaging period will lower the volume of wastewater you will be billed for each month for the next year. Sign up for our WaterSmart Customer Portal to view your daily usage and receive notifications of possible leaks.
6. I receive my water from Goforth SUD. How is my wastewater average calculated? Goforth SUD does not provide the city of Buda with monthly water consumption amounts for wastewater only customers. Goforth SUD water customers must submit their water bills for November, December, January, and February in order to calculate their wastewater charges. Goforth Water customers that do not provide this information will be billed at a rate of 5,000 gallons.
7. When does my new wastewater average go into effect? Your new wastewater average will be calculated during March.
