Beginning in December, Colleyville water bills will include new rates based on consumers' use. In an effort to promote water conservation and in a response to rising costs passed through by the Trinity River Authority, which supplies Colleyville's water, the city is joining many of its neighboring communities in instituting tiered rates for homes and businesses.

In addition to the minimum bill of $12.52 for the first 2,000 gallons of water used by a customer, the current charge for every 1,000 gallons of water is $3.74, regardless of the total consumed. With tiered rates, the cost of addition water will vary based on usage. Those rates will be as follows:

2,000-20,000: $3.74

20,001-30,000: $4.30

30,001-40,000: $4.86

40,001-50,000: $5.42

More than 50,000: $5.98

While consumers who use 20,000 gallons of water a month or less will see no change to their rate, those using more will be charged increasing rates once those gallon levels are met. For example, consumers using up to 30,000 gallons of water per month will be charged under two tiers ($3.74 for the first 20,000 gallons and $4.30 for each 1,000 gallons between 20,001 and 30,000), and see their bill increase as much as $5.60 per month.

Likewise, consumers using up to 40,000 gallons per month will see an increase up to $16.80; up to 50,000 gallons a month would result in a monthly increase of $33.60; and those using even more will be held to the highest rate so that, for example, a customer using 60,000 gallons a month would see an increase of $56. Starting in December, Colleyville water bills will reflect the portion of water used within each of the new tiers.

To help residents educate themselves on the new rates and see where they stand, the city has developed water calculators for residents and business owners available online at www.colleyville.com.