Photo by Blake RasmussenThe Round Rock City Council unanimously passed the first reading of a change in its water rate schedule that officials say they hope will push greater conservation.
The new four-tiered rate schedule would raise rates for the heaviest users from May to September, when usage is at its highest. Round Rock Utilities Director Michael Thane said the top 16 percent of residential users accounted for 42 percent of the residential water use in the city.
"That top 16 percent really needs to conserve, because that is really impacting our conservation," Thane said.
Rates would stay the same for users who stay under 24,000 gallons per month, but would rise with water use exceeding that amount. The schedule would be as follows during peak months (based on a 5/8-inch meter, the typical residential meter):
