By Jack Carley
Staff Writer
Tonight (Thursday) the OWASA board of directors will discuss a report calling for stage three water restrictions, which include surcharges, by mid-March if the area does not see more rain by the end of the month.
For homes, surcharges would multiply the cost of water depending on how much is used. For non-residential customers, the surcharge is an extra 25 percent.
Stage three restrictions also prevent almost all outdoor uses of OWASA water except for some construction purposes and a little bit of hand-watering three days a week. Service is cut off if more than 600 gallons are used by a household in a day.
The report says that the restrictions themselves will have a limited effect but that surcharges are intended to be a strong signal to customers to reduce demand.
The report, prepared by OWASA staff, recommends that the utility’s board declare a stage three water shortage on Feb. 28 if reservoir levels do not reach 45 percent full by the end of the month.
Reservoirs are currently about 39 percent full and, without more rain, hold enough water for about six months.
Reaching 45 percent capacity would require about three to five more inches in the next two weeks, while weather forecasts predict below-average rainfall through spring.
OWASA suggests that customers try to reduce demand to 35 gallons per person, per day.
Public comment is encouraged at the meeting, which will be held at 8 p.m. tonight at the OWASA Administration Building at 400 Jones Ferry Rd.
The full report contains further details and can be found online at owasa.org/agenda/agendameetings.asp