WHAT IS WASTEWATER WINTER QUARTER AVERAGING?
Wastewater winter quarter averaging is a method of billing for wastewater passing from a residential private sewer line to the City wastewater system. (TMC 13.05.050). The wastewater usage is calculated by averaging your water usage during the months of December, January & February, when customers typically use less water.
TOPEKA MUNICIPAL CODE ESTABLISHES WASTEWATER CHARGES BASED ON WATER CONSUMPTION
Since there is no meter to measure your wastewater usage, per City code wastewater consumption is based on your water meter readings.
WHAT PERIOD WILL BE USED TO DETERMINE MY WASTEWATER WINTER QUARTER AVERAGE?
WQA is calculated on consumption used during the months of December, January, and February.
CAN I CHOOSE DIFFERENT MONTHS TO DETERMINE MY WASTEWATER WINTER QUARTER AVERAGE?
No, Municipal Code defines the winter quarter average as the months of December, January & February. Using less water during the winter quarter average period may result in a lower wastewater bill throughout the year.
HOW OFTEN IS THE CITY REVIEWING THE WINTER AVERAGING?
Recalculating the winter quarter average is completed annually, per Topeka Municipal Code 13.05.050.
WHAT IF I HAVE NOT ESTABLISHED PREVIOUS CONSUMPTION HISTORY?
Customers who have not established a three month winter quarter average will be billed based on the winter quarter average of the applicable meter reading route in their neighborhood.
HOW IS MY WASTEWATER WINTER QUARTER AVERAGE CALCULATED?
The residential wastewater winter quarter average charge is determined by averaging the household water usage during 3 consecutive billing cycles. For example:
| USAGE MONTH | GALLONS OF WATER USED |
| December | 3,000 |
| January | 5,000 |
| February | 4,000 |
Total Gallons Used = 12,000
12,000 gallons ÷ 3 months = 4,000 gallons
Based on this example, the wastewater winter quarter average usage would be 4,000 gallons per month, for the next 12 months.
ARE COMMERCIAL WASTEWATER CHARGES IMPACTED BY WINTER QUARTER AVERAGING?
No, winter quarter averaging is only used to calculate residential wastewater charges.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Call our Customer Call Center at 785-368-3111.