During its regular meeting on Sept. 28, the New Braunfels City Council voted to adopt updates to the city’s drought contingency plan, which took effect on Oct. 1. The revisions tighten outdoor watering restrictions as drought conditions worsen and set clearer water‑use reduction goals for each conservation stage.
Key changes to the plan
The most visible change is the introduction of drought surcharges for New Braunfels Utilities (NBU) customers who exceed specific water‑use thresholds in Conservation Stages 3, 4 and 5. The surcharge thresholds align with NBU’s existing water‑use tiers, creating a stronger conservation signal for households and businesses that draw large volumes of water for irrigation.
According to an email from NBU Director of Enterprise Communications Reagan Peña, about 73% of NBU customers will not be subject to the surcharges under the updated plan. The surcharge is not an increase to regular water rates; it is a separate charge that only applies when water use exceeds the set limits.
How the surcharge works
In Conservation Stage 3, any water use above 6,000 gallons per month triggers a surcharge of $4.18 per thousand gallons. By Conservation Stage 5, all irrigation water use is subject to a surcharge of $4.89 per thousand gallons. Residential customers who use water primarily for household needs are generally protected, while those who irrigate lawns, gardens or other outdoor spaces may see the additional charge if they exceed the threshold.
Commercial customers are treated similarly: the surcharge applies only to irrigation meters, not to separate domestic meters used for regular business operations. If a commercial irrigation meter stays below the applicable threshold, the business will not incur the surcharge.
Why the surcharge matters
Peña explained that the surcharge helps maintain the utility’s financial stability during severe drought. When overall water consumption drops, revenue from water rates also declines, yet the costs of operating and maintaining the water system remain constant. The surcharge is designed to close that gap without generating profit, and it ends automatically when drought conditions improve.
Other utilities across the state and nation employ similar drought‑surcharge mechanisms, either seasonally or year‑round, to ensure reliable service during water‑scarce periods.
Tools for residents
NBU customers can monitor their monthly water use through the utility’s online portal and set custom alerts that notify them via text when they approach the surcharge threshold. This proactive approach gives households and businesses the information they need to adjust usage before a charge is applied.
Looking ahead
The updated plan reflects New Braunfels’ commitment to responsible water stewardship while protecting the financial health of its utility. By linking higher water use to a modest surcharge, the city aims to encourage conservation during the most critical drought stages without penalizing everyday household consumption.
City officials expect the new measures to reinforce existing conservation efforts and to serve as a model for other Texas communities facing similar water‑availability challenges.
Original reporting: Community Impact — Austin — read the source article.
