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Farmers Branch staff explain recent water‑and‑wastewater rate changes, expand outreach and rebates
Summary
Public Works told the Sustainability Committee that the city raised water and wastewater rates (first increase in about 10 years), removed a 10,000‑gallon sewer cap and is expanding rebates, smart‑meter tools and leak‑detection outreach to encourage conservation and help affected residents.
Public Works Director Ray Silvareas told the Farmers Branch Sustainability Committee that the city implemented new water and wastewater rates last fall after a consultant modeled five‑year needs to keep the utility enterprise solvent. Silvareas said the utility is supported by user charges rather than the general fund and the recent increase was intended to cover rising wholesale and treatment costs, operating expenses and capital projects.
Silvareas said the city removed an existing sewer cap that previously stopped charging sewer beyond 10,000 gallons, meaning heavy irrigation or very high household use now increases both water and sewer bills. “The reason for discharging water is we’re required by law to have a minimum residual chlorine residual, 0.5 milligrams per liter,” Silvareas said, explaining routine flushing and other operational actions that affect volumes and…
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