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Boerne updates water‑conservation programs; staff cite lower complaint rates and new rebates
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Summary
City staff reported improved water performance and new conservation incentives, including a turf‑removal rebate and irrigation consultations. Enforcement remains focused on voluntary compliance; complaints fell from 307 (2023) to 95 (2025) and citations are rare.
City officials briefed the Boerne City Council on April 28 about water‑conservation progress, incentives and enforcement efforts aimed at reducing demand and losses in the municipal water system.
Director Brinkman summarized 2025 demand trends, supply composition and system performance. He said Boerne relies substantially on GBRA surface supply and is increasing reclaimed supply; staff are seeing an average production trending toward about 4 million gallons per day in recent years. On water loss, Brinkman said: “Boerne is sitting there roughly around 10 to 11%,” a rate staff described as comparatively good for utilities the city’s size.
Ryan Bass reviewed the city’s Water Conservation Incentive Program, launched in May 2024, which offers rebates for rainwater harvesting, irrigation system consultations and rain/freeze sensors. He said irrigation consultations grew from about 52 participants in the program’s first year to roughly 84, and that many consultations identify leaks or timing issues. The city recently added a turf‑removal rebate that pays $1 per square foot of turf removed (rebates capped at $500 total per utility account per fiscal year); applicants submit a two‑stage application (design/measurements then completion photos) to qualify.
Director Nathan Crane explained the enforcement approach: staff seek voluntary compliance through a notice of violation, follow‑up inspection and a second notice before a citation is issued. Crane noted that a citation is a misdemeanor with a fine up to $1,000 per offense and that each day of continued violation may be charged as a separate offense. He also presented complaint statistics showing a decline from 307 complaints in 2023 to 95 in 2025 and said citations have dropped to near zero in the last two years.
Council members praised staff coordination across departments and encouraged continued public outreach to grow participation in rainwater harvesting and other incentive programs. Staff said they will continue to make projects shovel ready, track GPCD metrics and pursue leak detection and system maintenance to sustain the water‑loss rate.
