EWSU is Changing Billing Method To Make Water Usage Easier To Understand

Evansville Water and Sewer Utility (EWSU) customers asked for better billing and the utility listened. Starting October 15, 2020, EWSU will change the way customers are billed for water usage from 1,000 gallon units to 100 gallons. The change to a smaller unit of measure will more precisely reflect the amount of water used on monthly billing statements.

Measuring water usage in 100 gallon units means more consistent billing from month-to-month, less fluctuation in the monthly amount due, and billing statements that are easier to understand so customers can better budget the expense.

Under the current billing method, a customer uses 950 gallons of water in October, because we bill in thousand-gallon increments, all 950 gallons carry over to the next billing cycle and the customer is charged for zero water usage and the base rate of $36.67. The customer uses 1,050 gallons in November, because 950 gallons rolled over from the previous billing cycle, the customer is billed for 2,000 gallons water and charged $79.53.

Under the new one-hundred gallon billing method, a customer uses 950 gallons of water in October, the bill is rounded down to 900 gallons, the customer is charged $55.95, and the extra 50 gallons carry over to the next billing cycle. The customer uses 1,050 gallons in November, because 50 gallons rolled over from the previous billing cycle, the customer is billed for 1,100 gallons of water and charged $60.23. The difference in the monthly amount due is significantly reduced.

The infographic provides another example of how 100 gallon billing works:

EWSU webpage “Understanding Your Bill” has been updated and streamlined so it is easier for customers to navigate. Information is organized by categories on Billing Period, Billing Summary, Meter Readings, Usage History, Message Center and Bill Stub. The page has a sample bill based on the new billing method.

Customers will receive information on Better Billing in the Fall newsletter Get The Drop! mailed to homes, in electronic notifications to customers using the MyWater app and online portal, and on inserts included with monthly statements. Look for the Better Billing envelope. Information is also available at www.ewsu.com. Click “Understanding Your Bill.”