Town of Flower Mound, Texas

2121 Cross Timbers Road
Flower Mound, Texas 75028
972.874.6000

For service requests or questions, email
townhall@flower-mound.com
or call 972.539.SERV. After hours, please call 972.539.0525.

Utilities

Water/Wastewater

The Town of Flower Mound provides water and wastewater services for its residents. Other utility services such as gas, electricity, phone and cable television are provided by external organizations. The water department is located in Flower Mound Town Hall at 2121 Cross Timbers Road, on the Northeast corner of the Morriss Road and Cross Timbers intersection. Standard department hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information or questions contact Utility Billing at 972.874.6010 or utilitybilling@flower-mound.com.

2009 Town of Flower Mound Water Rate Adjustments

In response to rising wholesale water cost, Flower Mound is implementing a rate adjustment that will allow the Town to continue providing residents with a clean, safe, and reliable water supply and wastewater service, while also maintaining and building necessary utility infrastructure.

Rising Wholesale Water Costs

Flower Mound receives water from two sources, the Upper Trinity Regional Water District (UTRWD) and Dallas Water Utilities (DWU). Most wholesale customers pay two fees, an annual “demand charge” and a per gallon “volume” rate.

While the demand charge from DWU has increased at a normal inflationary rate, the demand charge assessed to Flower Mound by the UTRWD has increased from $180,000 per million gallons to $324,970 per million gallons annually since 2002. The 81% hike represents a $4.3 million increase to Flower Mound and positions the UTRWD’s demand charge rate equal to a level the district was not projected to reach until 2015. In addition, the UTRWD’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2009-2010 volume rate increased from $0.83 per gallon to $0.86 per gallon. The District was not projected to set rates at this level until after 2020.

Due to the increasing UTRWD demand and volume rate charges, the portion of Flower Mound’s total Utility Fund budget allocated to UTRWD fees has increased by $5.9 million, up from $5.8 million in 2002 to $11.7 million in the FY 2009-2010 budget. More than 71% of the Town’s Utility Fund revenue is utilized to pay for wholesale water purchases, debt service (facilities, lines, and storage infrastructure), and electricity. During the past several years, the Town has installed new and larger utility lines, expanded the Wastewater Treatment Plant, improved the Stone Hill Pump Station with new equipment and additional storage capacity, added a booster pump, and constructed new tanks at the Pintail groundwater storage site.

Additional planned utility improvements include rehabilitation of the Wastewater Treatment Plant, upgrading infrastructure associated with water systems acquired by the Town, and water connections to fill in undeveloped system links. Maintaining the current utility system and constructing new facilities to continue providing reliable and high quality service remain key priorities for the Town. In order for Flower Mound’s Utility Fund to remain viable, utility rates must cover the full cost of providing water and wastewater services to the residents and businesses, including the cost of water and all operating and maintenance expenses.

Updated Utility Rate Schedule

In order to balance Utility Fund revenues and expenditures and meet debt service requirements, Flower Mound is implementing a rate adjustment to fund the full cost of operating the utility system. The new rates will be applied to October 2009 water usage and will be reflected on statements distributed during the November 2009 billing cycle. The chart below illustrates a detailed overview of the new rate schedule for FY 2009 – 2010. With the exception of the minimum charge, all rates are applied per 1,000 gallons of usage.

Water	Pre-existing (or prior to Nov. 2009)	Nov. 2009
Minimum Bill	$21.50	$23.50
2,000-10,000 gallons	$2.72	$2.72
10,001-15,000 gallons	$3.40	$3.40
15,001-50,000 gallons	$4.08	$4.08
over 50,0000 gallons	$4.76	$4.76

Wastewater	Pre-existing (or prior to Nov. 2009)	Nov. 2009
Minimum Bill	$15.50	$16
Over 2,000 gallons	$3.10	$3.19

Updated Stormwater Drainage Fee Schedule

The Town has a stormwater drainage utility funded by stormwater fees to meet federally mandated requirements. The stormwater fees have not been increased since adoption of the fee in 2006. The stormwater fees are increasing by 6.8% to account for inflation according to the 2007 and 2008 Consumer Price Index. Residential and commercial properties identified as having stormwater detention features will continue to automatically receive a 17% discount off of the standard fee. The chart below illustrates the existing and new rate schedule for stormwater fees. A commercial fee schedule is available online at www.flower-mound.com.

Residential - Current                         Residential - November 2009
< 1 acre                  $ 3.65/ month       < 1 acre                  $ 3.90/ month
1 - 5 acres              $ 3.15                     1 - 5 acres              $ 3.36
5 + acres                $ 2.65                     5 + acres                $ 2.83

Res. Detention Credit - Current      Res. Detention Credit - Nov. 2009
< 1 acre                  $ 3.03/ month       < 1 acre                  $ 3.24/ month
1 - 5 acres              $ 2.61                     1 - 5 acres              $ 2.79
5 + acres                $ 2.20                     5 + acres                $ 2.35

For More Information

Water rate and wastewater charges will vary based upon individual water usage. The Town encourages water conservation through education and a progressive rate schedule. For a list of water conservation tips and a copy of the Town’s conservation ordinance, please download the Water Conservation Ordinance. For additional information or to receive a detailed financial briefing regarding the new rate structure, please call 972.539.SERV to schedule an appointment with Chuck Springer, the Town’s Assistant Town Manager/Chief Financial Officer.

Connecting Service - Water, Sewer, and Trash

Initiating service or changing the name on an existing account requires a completed application, a $60.00 deposit, and a $15.00 service fee. The application may be submitted in person or by fax. The deposit and the fee can either be paid at the time of application or can be billed to the account.

Payments

The Town of Flower Mound accepts payment by check, cash, cashier’s check, money order, Visa, Mastercard, and automatic bank draft. A night drop box is available 24-hours a day on the east side of Town Hall. The customer service counter inside Town Hall is open Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. In the event of inclement weather, the Utility Billing Division and Payment Counter may open later or close early. Please call 972.874.6010 to verify working hours.

Residential Rates

WATER (3/4” meter)

• 0-2,000 gallons
• 2,001-10,000 gallons
• 10,001-15,000 gallons
• 15,001-50,000 gallons
• 50,001+ gallons

$23.50 (1” meter $39.56)
$ 2.72 per thousand gallons
$ 3.40 per thousand gallons
$ 4.08 per thousand gallons
$ 4.76 per thousand gallons

SEWER

• All Sizes
• Residential No-Average Maximum
• Over 2,000 Gallons

$ 16.00
$ 33.55

$3.19

* Residential sewer service is based on water consumption during the months of December, January, and February. If no average has been determined, the customer will be charged based on the rates above, not to exceed $28.15 per month, until the average water usage is determined. Customers that install landscaping during or immediately prior to the sewer averaging months are charged a maximum of 7500 gallons per month.

TRASH PICKUP

95 gallon $10.90 +.90 = $11.80; senior $9.82 + .81 = $10.63
68 gallon $10.51 +.87 = $11.38; senior $9.43 + .78 = $10.21
Extra cart $7.59 +.63 = $8.22

STORMWATER UTILITY

• < 1 Acre
• 1-5 Acres
• > 5 Acres

$ 3.90
$ 3.36
$ 2.83

Commercial Rates

WATER (0-2000 gallons)

Water Meter Size
3/4” or 5/8”
1”
1 1/2”
2”
3”
4”
6”

Minimum Bills
$ 23.50
$ 39.56
$ 66.32
$ 98.44
$184.08
$280.42
$548.05

2,000-10,000 gallons
10,001-15,000 gallons
15,001-50,000 gallons
50,001+ gallons

$ 2.72 per thousand gallons
$ 3.40 per thousand gallons
$ 4.08 per thousand gallons
$ 4.76 per thousand gallons

SEWER

• All Sizes

• Over 2,000 Gallons

$ 16

$3.19

STORMWATER UTILITY

No Dentention Credit

SW6 - <25,000 SQ FT	$29.37
SW7 - 25,000-50,000 SQ FT	$40.05
SW8 - >50,000 SQ FT	$50.73

17% Dentention Credit

SW6 - <25,000 SQ FT	$24.38
SW7 - 25,000-50,000 SQ FT	$33.24
SW8 - >50,000 SQ FT	$42.11

Fire Hydrant Meter Rates

WATER (0-2000 gallons)

Water Meter Size
3”
2,000+ gallons

Minimum Bills
$184.08
$ 4.76 per thousand gallons

Municipal Rates

WATER (0-2000 gallons)

Water Meter Size
3/4” or 5/8”
1”
1 1/2”
2”
3”
4”
6”

Minimum Bills
$ 23.50
$ 39.56
$ 66.32
$ 98.44
$184.08
$280.42
$548.05

2,000+ gallons $ 1.01 per thousand gallons

SEWER

• All Sizes

• Over 2,000 Gallons

$ 16

$3.19

Water Quality Report - Download the Water Quality Report

Our goal is to meet the water usage needs of our customers by providing the highest quality of water available. Last year we provided over 5.01 billion gallons of drinking water to Flower Mound residents and businesses without any treatment, monitoring, or reporting violations. The water Flower Mound purchases from its suppliers is among the best in Texas, and meets or exceeds federal (EPA) and state (TCEQ) water standards. The annual water quality report provides residents with information about the town's drinking water, including important information about where your water comes from, test results, and health advisories. There is also information concerning public participation and several helpful telephone numbers.

Water Conservation Ordinance - Download the Water Conservation Ordinance

Daily Water Use, including lawn watering, garden watering, and irrigation, is prohibited between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. from April 1 to Oct. 31.

Triggering Criteria

The goal of Flower Mound's water use ordinance is to achieve a voluntary one percent reduction in total gallons utilized per capita, per day (GPCD) and insure Flower Mound has an adequate water supply and pressure during periods of reduced rainfall.

Water Awareness may be triggered by any one of the following:

Either wholesale water supplier(s) implement restrictive measures that require customers to implement similar restrictions for reasons such as conserving reservoir levels, maintaining system pressures, water treatment capacity, or other such items requiring cooperation; or
Total water consumption reaches 75% of the Town’s water distribution system pumping capacity.

Actions Available
Specific actions taken during any drought situation will be determined by the Flower Mound Town Manager. The Town Manager may also take other actions not listed, if deemed necessary. Following is a menu of possible actions.

All Water Customers

All users shall refrain from lawn and garden watering or irrigation between the hours of 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Encourage the reduction of water use through a voluntary day-of-week watering schedule. Irrigation of landscaped areas with hose-end sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems shall be limited to

Last Digit of Address	Allowed Watering Days
Even Numbers (0, 2, 4, 6, 8)	Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays
Odd Numbers (1, 3, 5, 7, 9)	Saturdays, Mondays, Wednesdays

Apartments, office building complexes, or other property containing multiple addresses shall be identified by the lowest address number. Irrigation of landscaped areas is permitted at anytime if it is by means of a hand-held hose, faucet filled bucket, or drip irrigation.

Encourage reduction in the frequency of watering new and first year landscaping and foundations.
Encourage only initial filling of ornamental fountains or ponds.
Encourage reduction in the frequency of washing and rinsing vehicles and recommend the use of bucket/container, hand-held hose with positive shut-off valve or commercial car wash.
Encourage reduction in the frequency of draining and refilling of swimming pools.
Encourage reduction in recreational water use including the use of faucets, hoses, or hydrants which use water in such a manner as to allow run-off or other waste.

City Government

Initiate a public education campaign teaching and encouraging reduced water use practices for both Town water and water from private wells.
Notices will be published in local papers, will appear on local cable channel and posted on the Town’s web page informing the public of the trigger condition(s) prompting the measure and requesting that water users voluntarily reduce water consumption.
Increase public awareness through the distribution of conservation pamphlets, including water conservation tips on utility billings, and including notices and suggestions in newsletters.
Weekly status updates on the condition(s) causing activation of the management measure will be displayed on the local cable television channel and appear on the Town’s website.
Waste of water shall be prohibited by eliminating such actions that allow excessive amounts of water to escape from irrigated areas as runoff into gutters, ditches, streets, and other surface drains; failing to promptly repair a controllable leak; and, other obvious wasteful uses and conditions.
Intensify normal leak detection and repair activities on waterlines.
Encourage reduction of water use in Town-owned ornamental fountains or ponds.
Encourage reduction in water use for landscaping for parks and athletic fields.

Commercial Customers

Commercial users, Home Owners Associations, and other non-residential irrigation system owners will be contacted and asked to reduce water use by inspecting their systems. Corrective measures would limit over watering to prevent runoff, repairing broken or damaged sprinkler heads, and repair of any leaks that may be identified.
Identify and encourage voluntary reduction measures by high-volume water users through water audits.
Encourage reduction in water use for commercial landscaping, open space, parks and golf courses.
Encourage reduction in water use for landscape nursery stock.

Water Conservation - Download and print the water conservation flyer

Indoor Conservation Tips…

• Run your washing machine and dishwasher only when they are full and you could save 300–800 gallons-a-month.
• If your shower can fill a one-gallon bucket in less than 20 seconds, then replace with a water-efficient showerhead.
• Take shorter showers. Save 5–10 gallons for every minute you cut back.
• If a shower is not available, reduce the water used in the bathtub by two inches.
• Grab a wrench and fix that leaky faucet. It’s simple, inexpensive, and can save 140 gallons-a-week.
• Turn off the water while you brush your teeth and save four gallons-a-minute. That’s 200 gallons-a-week for a family of four.
• Install faucet aerators to reduce water consumption.
• Insulate all hot water pipes to reduce the delays and wasted water experienced while waiting for the water to “run hot.”
• Listen for dripping faucets and toilets that flush themselves. Fixing a leak can save 500 gallons each month.
• If you have a fish tank, use the old water after you clean the tank to water your plants. It’s rich in nitrogen and phosphorous that plants love.

Outdoor Conservation Tips…

• Check your water meter and bill to track your water usage.
• Use a layer of organic mulch around plants to reduce evaporation and save hundreds of gallons of water a year.
• Don’t water your lawn on windy days. After all, sidewalks and driveways don’t need water.
• Water your plants deeply but less frequently to create healthier and stronger landscapes. Frequent watering causes shallow root growth and will result in a lawn that will not tolerate the hot, dry weather that is typical for this area.
• Next time you add or replace a flower or shrub, choose a low water use plant for year-round landscape color and save up to 550 gallons each year.
• Adjust your watering schedule to the season. Water your summer lawn every third day and your winter lawn every fifth day.
• Bathe your pets outdoors in an area in need of water.
• Consider implementing organic gardening methods as an alternative to the traditional chemical herbicides and pesticides. Many garden chemicals persist in the environment for a very long time and can eventually find their way back into the lakes that supply us with our drinking water.