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Conserve water and save money!  Because sewer charges are based on water consumption, residential customers that conserve water during the winter months will reap the rewards all year long. The Winter Quarter Averaging Program (WQAP) for monthly sewer charges will be calculated using the winter quarter averages from three consecutive winter periods. The winter months are used to figure the average, as that time period provides a true picture of interior water use when water consumption is not impacted by outdoor water use. The averaged or calculated consumption of the three winter periods will be set and used for the monthly billing of your sewer charges until the next year when once again the water consumption during the winter months is averaged.  If the sewer rate increases/decreases, your average consumption will remain the same and apply to the new rate. If the rates do not change, your billed sewer amount will remain the same for a 12 month period. Since monthly sewer fees will be directly tied to winter water consumption, customers who use less water during the winter months will pay less for sewer services over the next twelve months. Remember, this program affects only the sewer portion of your utility bill.   Frequently Asked Questions What is “sewage,” and why do I have to pay for it? Basically, “sewage” is “used water” that goes down a household drain, through a toilet, a garbage disposal, a sink or shower. The City pays a fee to the North Texas Municipal Water District to treat, clean and dispose of this “sewage.” Each resident and business is billed monthly to offset this sewage disposal and treatment fee. How does the WQAP work & how is my sewer average calculated? Customers should watch their winter water usage during the months of November-March, conserving water as much as possible. Beginning in October, bills will list the approximate averaging period. The less water used during the averaging period, the lower the sewer charge will be for the next 12 months. Since we bill in arrears, the eligible billings are December, January, February and March. We will take the consumption shown on these billings, discard the highest month and average the remaining three months.  New residential customers will be assessed at the city residential 3 year average or personal average.  The personal average will be based on at least 3 months of the most recent winter period.  From that point forward, each residential account will build up to a three year rolling average. To calculate your new bill beginning May, 2007: Take the 3 lowest bills from December 2004 through March 2005; plus Take the 3 lowest bills from December 2005 through March 2006; plus Take the 3 lowest bills from December 2006 through March 2007 Divide the sum by 3 Do I have to apply for the program? No. This program will automatically be billed beginning May 1, for all residential customers. The sewer charge on your utility bill created on or after May 1, will be based on your winter quarter average. How does the averaging program benefit me? Once your winter quarter average has been determined, your sewer consumption will remain the same for the next 12 months. You will not have extensive outdoor water usage influencing your fee since we are using winter months for averaging. Will my average ever change? The WQAP will be conducted annually, using the set winter months. Your calculated average sewer consumption will not change from month to month. However, in the event of a sewer rate increase/decrease, the actual sewer charge may change slightly when the new rate is applied. What happens if I establish a new account and don’t have a consumption history? New residential customers will be assessed at a rate equal to the residential 3-year winter average or their personal average from at least three months of the most recent winter period.  From that point, the yearly winter period will be used for calculating an average.  Each resident will build up to a three year rolling average.  For customers with less than three billings during the winter period, sewer will be billed at the rate equal to the city residential average. You will then have your consumption averaged during the next winter quarter averaging period. Do you still read my water meter monthly? Yes. We must read your water meter in order to determine how much water you should be billed for in a given month. Remember – the winter quarter average only applies to your sewer charge.