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Cemetery rep says current water use estimate is higher than billed; city asked for meter data
Summary
A cemetery representative reported high seasonal irrigation water use and said recent nozzle changes reduced estimated annual gallons from 8,640,000 to 5,670,000; he asked the city to provide meter readings and said the cemetery cannot absorb a $7,000/month water bill as previously estimated.
Cal Kirby addressed the council on cemetery water use after public inquiries about how the cemetery’s water charges are calculated.
Kirby said the cemetery had historically used sprinkler heads sized for higher pressure and that staff recently installed smaller nozzles, reducing estimated seasonal water use from about 8,640,000 gallons to approximately 5,670,000 gallons annually (in‑season estimate). He said watering routines consist of five days a week for five hours a day over three peak months (June–August) and additional days in shoulder months, with hand‑dug graves not encountering a high groundwater table.
Kirby said cemetery volunteers will attempt further conservation—fitting pressure reducers and monitoring new nozzles at 30 PSI to avoid damage to headstones—and offered to provide the council with typed copies of his water‑use calculations. He expressed concern that an earlier estimate of “7,000 a month” (water cost discussed by the public) was not affordable for the cemetery and requested the city place the cemetery on metered billing and to review the usage figures.
Council response and next steps: The mayor asked Kirby to provide his calculations in writing; Kirby agreed to deliver printed numbers to the city clerk. Council did not take immediate action at the meeting but the discussion was recorded for follow‑up with utility billing staff.
Why it matters: The issue affects cemetery operations, volunteer budgets, and city utility billing fairness when seasonal irrigation creates large water charges.
What remains unresolved: Council staff will need to compare the cemetery’s usage estimates to meter data and determine appropriate billing or conservation measures.
