Bluff City board directs draft ordinance for 500-gallon pressure-wash utility credit

Bluff City leaders directed staff to draft an ordinance to allow a one-time 500-gallon water credit for residents who pressure-wash houses, addressing complaints that pressure washing can spike utility bills and unfairly raise sewer charges.

The town manager presented several calculation options: on-site pre/post reads by public-works staff, averaging previous months’ usage, or a fixed-gallon allowance. Residents and board members expressed concerns about requiring after-the-fact inspections and the workload for public-works staff. One resident urged relief, saying their water bill rose to $138 after cleaning a large house.

After discussion, multiple board members supported a simple fixed allowance approach as the least burdensome on staff and residents. Speaker 5 moved to propose a 500-gallon credit; the board agreed that staff should draft an ordinance for the end-of-month work session with recommended calculation and reporting procedures.

Town staff said they would monitor usage patterns after implementation to prevent abuse and that the credit would apply only to water (not sewer) under the proposed approach. The manager noted staff would also propose operational details — notification, receipt requirements and whether an after-the-fact review should be used — when the draft ordinance returns to the board.