How Filling Your New Tiny Pool Impacts Your water Bill (and What to Do About It)
Here in Austin, water is a precious resource. We're all mindful of our usage, and that extends to our utility bills. Yes, you need to pay for the water that fills your pool initially, but did you know that your sparkling new pool could impact your wastewater charges, even if you're not actually draining all that water?
Let's dive into how Austin Water calculates wastewater usage and how you can potentially save some money.
Wastewater Averaging: Explained
Many utility companies, including Austin Water, can't directly measure the amount of wastewater coming from your home. Instead, they often estimate it based on your potable (drinking) water usage during certain months. This is where "wastewater averaging" comes in.
According to Austin Water, wastewater averaging is:
An averaging method based on potable water meter readings during the fall/winter months helps us determine how much wastewater you send into the sewer system while excluding seasonal use, like irrigation, that is not treated in a wastewater facility.
Essentially, Austin Water looks at your water consumption during the cooler months when outdoor watering is typically lower. They use this average to estimate your wastewater discharge throughout the entire year. This system works well for everyday household use.
Here's the catch for new Tiny Pool owners: When you initially fill your beautiful new Tiny Pool, that's a significant amount of potable water being used at once. Even though that water isn't going down the drain and into the sewer system, Austin Water might still assume it did based on that spike in your water usage during the filling period. This could lead to higher wastewater charges down the line.
The Good News: You Have Options!
Austin Water understands that filling a pool is a unique situation and that this water isn't contributing to the wastewater system. That's why they have a process in place to potentially adjust your wastewater charges.
If you've recently filled your new Texas Tiny Pool, it's crucial to contact Austin Water directly!
By calling their customer service and explaining that a significant portion of your recent water usage went towards filling your pool (and therefore didn't enter the wastewater system), they can often make an adjustment to your account and prevent you from being charged for the wastewater associated with that initial fill.
What to do:
Keep records: Note the date and estimated volume of water used to fill your Tiny Pool. (You can find your pool volume on your construction plans, or reach out to your Project Manager for this information)
Contact Austin Water: Reach out to their customer service department here or at 512-494-9400 as soon as possible after filling your pool. Be prepared to provide them with the details of your water usage for filling the pool.
Inquire about adjustments: Ask them about their process for adjusting wastewater charges due to pool filling.
Don't let your investment in relaxation and backyard fun lead to unexpected costs! By understanding Austin's wastewater averaging and taking proactive steps to communicate with Austin Water, you can ensure you're only paying for the wastewater you actually use.
At Texas Tiny Pools, we're all about maximizing your enjoyment and minimizing your worries. We hope this information helps you navigate your utility bills with confidence! Happy swimming!