Water Rates

Water Rates Effective January 2021

Water Minimum Charges

Meter Size (Inches) Inside City Limits Outside City Limits
5 / 8" $13.00
$22.07
3 / 4" $23.59 $40.08
1" $34.17
$58.06
1 1 / 2" $55.33 $94.07
2" $108.27 $184.07
3" $161.21 $274.03
4" $267.07 $454.01
6" and 8" $531.73 $903.92

Water minimums for multi-unit dwellings receiving water service from a single meter are calculated by the number of units multiplied by $13.00.

Example

If four apartments are fed by one meter, the charge would be $13.00 per unit, or $52.00 (4 times $13.00).

Water Rates for Residential & Business Categories

Cubic Feet (C.F.) of
Water Usage
Inside City Limits
Per 100 Cubic Feet
Outside City Limits
Per 100 Cubic Feet
First 100 Included in Minimum Included in Minimum
Base Tier $2.71 $4.59
Conservation Tier 1 $5.40 $9.18
Conservation Tier 2 (Business Mixed Use and Multi-Family) $7.86 $18.40
Conservation Tier 2 (Residential only) $10.82 $18.40
Conservation Tier 2-Water Warning or Water Emergency (Residential only) $15.01 $25.52

A minimum fee based on the meter size is charged. The 1st 100 c.f. of water is included in the minimum fee. All usage after the 1st 100 c.f. is billed in the following manner:

Average Water Use

Water usage as shown on the January, February, and March billing is averaged to determine a "water use average" for both residential and business accounts. The water use average shall be a minimum of 500 c.f. Usage that falls within this average will be billed at the Base Tier rate. Any usage that exceeds the water use average by up to 1,000 c.f., will be billed at the Conservation Tier 1 rate. 

Residential Usage

All residential usage that exceeds the water use average in excess of 1,000 c.f. will be billed at the Conservation Tier 2 rate. All residential usage that exceeds the water use average in excess of 1,000 c.f. during times of official "Water Warning" or "Water Emergency" periods, as defined by the City of Hays Drought Response Plan (PDF), will be billed at the Conservation Tier 2 rate for Water Warning or Water Emergency.

Conversion

To convert cubic feet to gallons, multiply cubic feet by 7.48.
325,851 gallons equals 1-acre foot.