Drought Water Rates and Rebate Programs

In its continuing effort to reduce landscape water use and achieve a 20% reduction in
water use this summer, the Atascadero Mutual Water Company (AMWC) has adopted drought
water rates for its single-family residential customers. The rates will become effective on June
15 and will remain in place for the duration of the Stage 2 Water Shortage Condition. The
increase will be show up in customers’ July water bill.
The drought rates will have no effect on single-family residential customers who use less
than 25,000 gallons of water per month. The table below shows how the drought rates will
affect customers’ peak water bills in the peak summer month.

Single-Family Residential Water Bills

Peak Summer Month
Monthly Water Bill, Water Bill,
Use Current Rates Drought Rates
(1,000 gal)
2 $ 15.00 $ 15.00
10 $27.80 $27.80
25 $62.85 $62.85
50 $150.35 $162.85
75 $250.35 $287.85
100 $350.35 $437.85
150 $550.35 $737.85
200 $750.35 $1,037.85
250 $950.35 $1,337.85
Note:
Bill amounts shown do not include the 15% pumping
surcharge for customers in boosted zones

With the adoption of the drought water rates, AMWC has implemented six new rebate
programs aimed at reducing landscape water use. The table below lists the new programs,
which are in addition to the rebate and conservation programs already offered by AMWC.
Questions regarding the drought water rates may be directed to John Neil, General
Manager, 461-7217, extension 21, jneil@amwc.us.
 New Conservation Rebate Programs
Program Rebate Max Rebate
Amount
Turf Conversion – convert existing areas of turf grass to $0.25/sf $500 SFR,
drought-tolerant plants or synthetic turf $1,000 MFR, COM, LS
Lawn Aeration – plug-aerate turf areas to promote 50% of cost, $90
deeper root structure and reduce runoff $5 min.

MPR Rotators – replace pop-up spray head with $3/nozzle, $375

matched precipitation rotary (MPR) nozzles $12 min.

Smart Irrigation Controller & Soil Moisture Sensors – $100 $100

replace convention irrigation controllers with controllers
that measure soil moisture and only water when needed
Rain Sensors - install rain sensors to deactivate irrigation $15 $15
controllers during wet or rainy conditions.

Rainwater Harvesting - install cisterns or storage tanks $0.25/gal of storage, $250

to capture rainfall for use during dry periods $25 min.,
100 gal min. vessel
Notes:
1. Rebates one time per property
2. SFR = Single-Family Residential, MFR = Multi-family Residential, COM = Commercial, LS = Landscape

The drought water rates and rebate programs are being used in conjunction with the
prohibitions and restrictions previously adopted by AMWC as part of the Stage 2 Water
Shortage Condition. These prohibitions and restrictions include:

Outdoor watering banned: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Outdoor watering days: Monday, Wednesday, Friday for odd-numbered addresses;

Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday for even-numbered addresses; no watering on Sunday

Newly installed landscaping: May be watered daily for the first 21 days after planting
(preferably wait until fall to plant).

Run-off from landscaped surfaces banned: Sprinkler run-times must be adjusted to

prevent excess watering and run-off from landscaped surfaces.

Vehicle washing: Shutoff nozzle required

Other prohibitions: Failure to repair plumbing/irrigation leaks immediately; washing

of sidewalks, driveways, patios, and other water-wasting activities involving the use
of a hose; irrigating with overhead sprinklers when it is raining

Penalties: warnings for first two violations; 50% water bill surcharge for third
violation; 100% water bill surcharge for the fourth and each additional violation.

Questions regarding rebate and conservation programs may be directed to Jaime Lien,
Conservation Manager, 461-7217, extension 17, jlien@amwc.us.