WE ARE IN A DROUGHT.
On Wednesday, May 13, the SACWSD Board of Directors declared as Stage 1 drought in an effort to preserve water supply after the historically dry Winter 2025-26.
Drought Gauge
- None None is not the current drought stage.
- Drought 0 Drought 0 is not the current drought stage.
- Drought 1 Drought 1 is the current drought stage.
- Drought 2 Drought 2 is not the current drought stage.
- Drought 3 Drought 3 is not the current drought stage.
Cut Back – Drought is Here
Use less, water smarter, or face surcharges.
- 2 days/week outdoor watering based on your address
- Reduce overall use 20%
- Reduce outdoor irrigation by 50%
- Surcharges and fines for excessive water use
- New sod only in April, May, September, or October
Defining Drought
A drought, in the most general sense, is a deficiency of precipitation over an extended period, resulting in a water shortage for some beneficial activity or environmental purpose. A water shortage from drought occurs when available water supply is reduced to a level that supporting customer demands are at risk.
Drought Pricing
The Board may implement drought pricing alongside a drought declaration to signal severity and motivate conservation. It is temporary and applies to both indoor (drinking, bathing, cooking) and outdoor (irrigation) water use.
Residential Rates
Residential customers will be charged a 20% surcharge for water usage above the first Tier, 0-11,999 gallons. The surcharge applies to every thousand gallons above 11,999.
| Gallons Used Over Monthly Minimum | Standard Charge ($) per 1,000 Gallons | Surcharge Rate ($) Per 1,000 Gallons |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 – 11,999 | $6.40 | – |
| 12,000 – 17,999 | $6.76 | $8.11 |
| 18,000 – 29,999 | $8.28 | $9.94 |
| 30,000 – 45,999 | $12.46 | $14.95 |
| 46,000 and over | $18.36 | $22.03 |
Drought pricing with surcharges.
| Meter Size | Minimum Gallons | Minimum Charge | Drought Surcharge Per 1,000 Gallons Over Minimum |
| 5/8″ | 0 | $11.80 | – |
| 3/4″ | 4,000 | $32.52 | $9.76 |
| 1″ | 7,000 | $56.91 | $9.76 |
| 1 1/2″ | 14,000 | $113.82 | $9.76 |
| 2″ | 22,000 | $178.86 | $9.76 |
| 3″ | 30,000 | $243.90 | $9.76 |
| 4″ | 68,000 | $552.84 | $9.76 |
| 6″ | 100,000 | $813.00 | $9.76 |
Commercial customers will be charged a 20% surcharge for water usage above 1,000 gallons over the minimum monthly gallons.
Enforcement
The primary goal of enforcement is education. SACWSD staff may monitor for non-compliance and issue courtesy warnings before formal action. Repeat or intentional violations are subject to fines per the penalty schedule adopted by the Board as part of any drought stage declaration.
Customers may report water waste to:
Phone: 303-288-2646
Email: conserve@southadamswaterco.gov
