Hays reports 2024 water‑conservation results as city begins AMI meter roll‑out

Holly Dickman, Water Conservation Specialist for the City of Hays, presented the city's Water Conservation Program results for 2024 and warned that current drought outlooks predict persistence or development of drought in much of the county.

Dickman told commissioners that 2024 rainfall was "above average for Hays" while noting rainfall and snowfall patterns are spotty across the region. She reviewed the city's rebate and outreach programs: 210 toilets were replaced under the toilet rebate program, 91 washing machines were replaced, four smart irrigation controllers were installed through the rebate program, and the city distributed 88 water‑efficient shower heads. Turf‑conversion installs were slower in 2024 compared with 2023. Dickman said the city distributed about 1,600 toilet dye tabs during Fix‑a‑Leak Week, ran more than 3,200 radio spots and roughly 320 TV spots, conducted 46 live radio interviews, and received more than 500 poster‑contest entries.

"Time flies. But I'm back," Dickman said at the start of her report. She described partnerships that reached households countywide, including a Know Your Water project that led to roughly 16 irrigation system assessments for residential properties and plans for phase two of that grant project.

Jeff Crispin, Director of Water Resources, updated the commission on the city's Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) project. Crispin said the commission previously authorized a contract with Core & Main to design and install the AMI system and noted the city hired a billing project manager from Tyler Technologies for $35,000. He told commissioners the city has received nearly $2,000,000 in meters, transmitters, base stations and supplies and that base stations have been installed.

Crispin described initial reporting from installed meters and the contractor's installation process: meter changeouts take under 20 minutes, crews will aim for five installs per day once fully staffed, and the rollout through the city should take about four to six months. He said postcards and a public communications campaign, including a customer portal for usage tracking and alerts, are being rolled out as part of the project.

"This project eliminates the monthly meter reads, so we don't have to read once a month. We read them multiple times a day," Crispin said, describing the project benefits for leak detection and conservation.

Neither the water conservation presentation nor the AMI update required formal action at the meeting; commissioners asked clarifying questions about rebate trends, portal access and early meter reporting. Dickman and Crispin said staff will continue public education and provide further updates as installations and customer‑portal onboarding progress.

Less urgent program items from Dickman's presentation included expanded school presentations, Water Smart Wally TV ads provided to the city at no charge, water‑ambassador training additions and plans for commercial irrigation audits.