The Water District buys more the $1 million in electric energy every year to run large pumps and other equipment needed to provide water to our customers.

Contract prices offered by electric power providers are reviewed regularly to make sure the District is paying the most competitive rates.

New high efficiency pump motors being installed as part of the ongoing capacity expansion program will improve reliability and use less electric energy than older pumps.

Robert Edwards, who leads the District's technical services team, reported to the Board of Directors on other steps being taken to save on power costs. 

One of these is participation in a statewide load management program which pays actual dollars to the District to shut down the Edwards Pump Station at the Nueces River at times when the state electric grid nears peak demand.

Another District program is predictive shedding of power loads during the four peak summer months in a way that results in savings on the following year's power costs at the Edwards Pump Station.

The District has also worked with a consultant to review electricity bills from previous years looking for inaccurate billings that could be recovered from power providers.  This has resulted in some refunds and helped identify District meters that are exempt from certain charges, meaning there will be a continuing savings.