Post Falls proposes water conservation rate

Post Falls may soon have a water mark that will trigger an increase of 50 percent.

The City Council on Oct. 5 will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. to consider a water conservation rate proposal in which households that use more than 50,000 gallons of water per month will be charged $1.41 per 1,000 gallons over that amount compared to the regular rate of 94 cents.

Terry Werner, the city's public works director, said the proposal is about conserving water and equipment, not gouging residents during tough economic times.

He said it may also prolong the city from having to request additional water rights, a process that has drawn protest from environmental groups.

Most residents wouldn't be affected by the higher rate, Werner said. The average monthly usage is about 30,000 gallons and the 50,000-gallon mark is typically only reached during summer months by some households.

"In 2009, 20 percent of the customers were using more than 50,000 gallons during the summer months," said Werner, referring an analysis by JUB Engineers.

The proposal does not affect commercial or industrial water users.

Werner said the 50,000-gallon mark seems like a good happy medium in that it may get people to conserve, yet it won't affect users who are already doing their part to cut back.

"If people are using more than 50,000 gallons, they're probably over-using," he said. "But we didn't want to put (the threshold) so low because of the times and people are struggling."

Werner said all it may take for homes over the 50,000-gallon mark to get below is adhering to the existing conservation plan, lowering water times or eliminating a watering day.

City law states there's no watering between noon and 6 p.m.

It also has a voluntary odd-even watering schedule. Residents with odd-numbered addresses are asked to water on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Those with even-numbered addressed are asked to water on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

More cities and water districts are moving to water conservation rates. Such a system is recommended in Post Falls' water master plan.