2005-050-RES WATER CONSERVATION PLAN

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2. Conservation Oriented Rate Structure: The City of Paris charges a base rate for the first increment of usage in cubic feet for all customers, both residential and commercial, based on meter size. Charges for usage in excess of the base volume charge are at a constant rate per 100 cubic feet. Increased usage does not result in a lower rate charge therefore, excessive use is not encouraged. See Appendix A for rate schedule. ' 3. Universal Metering, Meter Testing, Repair and Replacement: All connections in the City of Paris are metered. The Billing Office routinely sends a list of meters to be replaced to the meter shop at Public Works based on the age of the meter at the address. All new installations are touch-read, automatic reading systems that eliminate the possibility of human error caused by visually misreading the register. All meters repaired are tested for accuracy before installation. All meters of sizes 3" and greater are tested annually for accuracy. A meter is considered acceptable only if the accuracy is within standards set forth by the American Water Works Association (A WW A) for the particular meter type. The Billing Office reads all meters on a monthly basis regardless of whether the account is active or inactive. Illegal connections are quickly identified by this measure and abandoned services with meters removed are periodically checked for illegal connections as well. 4. Leak Detection and Repair: The City of Paris has a very progressive leak detection and repair program. The Public Works Department actively seeks out and repairs all leaks on a timely basis with larger leaks having priority for repair over smaller leaks. Leak reports are also turned in by Utilities, Meter Readers, Sanitation, Engineering, Fire, Police and all other departments in the City to the Public Works Department for repair. Leaks are also reported by the public and other utility companies as well. Public Works investigates all reports promptly and conducts repairs as soon as possible. Public Works also maintains an on-call crew to repair leaks and sewer stoppages on weekends, holidays and after hours. Several pressure monitoring devices are located at various points throughout the distribution system and are connected to the SCADA system at various lift stations. A leak near any of these pressure monitors triggers an alarm at the Water Treatment Plant and Public Works is notified of a probable leak in the area. 5. "Vater Conserving Landscaping: The Utilities Department has distributed TWDB information on proper lawn watering and xeriscaping for many years and will continue to furnish this information in the future as part of our public education program. Xeriscaping (using drought-tolerant, low water demand landscapes) has become more popular in recent years with homeowners learning that such plants not only require less maintenance but result in a cost savings on water utility bills as well. Other water saving measures such as mulching and watering at the proper times of day also reduce costs. These are measures easily 3 , , r....