Fort Worth water rates expected to increase

[Bob Of Burleson]

By Caty Hirst
chirst@star-telegram.com

FORT WORTH — The drought could get worse before it gets better, driving up the cost of water and contributing to higher rates planned in Fort Worth for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1, according to briefings Tuesday at the City Council.

Dan Buhman, assistant general manager of the Tarrant Regional Water District, said meteorologists are “predicting the drought will persist, or perhaps intensify.”

In a worst-case scenario presented to council members, Buham said the water district could move to Stage 2 water restrictions in about October. The district’s reservoir storage is at about 70 percent of capacity; Stage 2 drought restrictions would be triggered if it drops below 60 percent.

Stage 2 restrictions could include once-a-week landscape watering, prohibit operating ornamental fountains or ponds that use potable water, except to support aquatic life; and prohibit filling swimming pools with automatic valves.

“But that is very unlikely. It is more likely we will stay in Stage 1,” Buham said. “Our reservoirs could continue to drop, but recover throughout the fall.”

Water rates in Fort Worth are also expected to climb as the price of raw water continues rising, said Kara Shuror, assistant water director for Fort Worth. The cost of water is the “major driver in our water budget and our water rates,” she said.

In 2014, the cost to buy from the district went up 9.5 percent. It is expected to increase 12 percent more in 2015.

In fact, the city expects the cost of water to nearly double within 10 years, costing about $130 million by 2024 compared with the $71.5 million spent on water in 2014.

“This isn’t a one-year issue. This is something we will see in the coming years,” Shuror said.

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[planosteve]

Gee, under stage 2 you will only be able to water once a week. Poor babies.