Loophole found in use rate

Date: 5/26/2009

By Katelyn Gendron

Reminder Assistant Editor



AGAWAM -- Residents can take advantage of a loophole in City Council's May 12 approval of a 54-cent increase in the water use rate -- it's called a rain barrel.

Consumers are automatically charged the increased rate of $1.90 per hundred cubic feet of water used for irrigation -- as opposed to the rate of $1.36 per hundred cubic feet of water -- effective July 1. Residents who use rain barrels, however, will be able to irrigate their land, wash their dogs with the garden hose or water the plants without tapping into the town's pricy water supply.

High demand for rain barrels prompted the Department of Public Works (DPW) to offer two distribution cycles this year alone, according to Tracy DeMaio, DPW Environmental Project Coordinator. She added that over 130 60-gallon rain barrels have been purchased this year for a cost of $60 each.

"A rain barrel collects water from the roof when it rains and stores it for use during dry weather to water house plants [or outdoor gardens]," DeMaio explained. "Collecting water in a rain barrel is an excellent way to save some of the runoff and take the pressure off our water supply and storm water management systems."

Mayor Susan Dawson said residents are encouraged to adopt water conservation practices to help Agawam comply with the Department of Environmental Protection's Performance Standards for Residential Water Use, which limits water consumption to 65 residential gallons per capita per day.

"Our goal is to make water conservation a way of life for our residents," she said. "Offering the use of a rain barrel will help residents save money while also helping to conserve water and reduce the impacts of storm water runoff on Agawam's wetlands, rivers and streams."

DeMaio noted that additional water conservation tools include garden hoses with flow settings, low-flow shower heads, faucet sink aerators, high-efficiency washing machines and dishwashers and dye tablets for toilets to detect leaks.

City Councilor Jill Messick -- one of the eight members of the council to vote in favor of increasing the water use rate -- said the increase was necessary in order to cover rising costs in the Water Enterprise Fund. She added that funds are also needed to repair existing water mains.

"Right now we're blessed with a ton of water but that does not mean that it's an unlimited resource," Messick said, noting the importance of conservation practices.

She added that her three rain barrels will help to offset her water use bill and decrease her household water consumption. Messick explained that her rain barrels can collect up to 180 gallons of water, of which she'll use approximately 90 gallons for irrigation each week, without being charged a cent for city water use.

"Anytime you're using free water you're saving money," she said.