City of Auburn | WRM-Water

Water Resource Management

Auburn's Water Supply

The Water Works Board of the City of Auburn has worked for many years on long-range plans to ensure the adequacy of the local water supply. The fact is that the City is very well situated to meet the immediate and long-term water needs of Auburn citizens.

Here are some facts about the City's water usage and supply:

Current average usage for the Auburn water system is 6 million gallons per day (MGD)
Auburn's current water supply capacity is 11.6 MGD
Under the joint contract with Opelika Utilities where the two utilities constructed a new treatment facility in the mid-1980s, Auburn can purchase up to 3.6 MGD from Opelika Utilities. While Auburn only uses this source at certain times during the year, the ability to access the additional water is available.

Irrigation Meter Facts

There is no sewer charge associated with irrigation meters; irrigation meters are charged only for water usage and utility tax.

The water consumed will be the only water charged to this account. If there is no water usage through the meter, then there will be no bill to the customer.

The Water Works Board's responsibility is to set and maintain the irrigation meters. The Board does not install or maintain irrigation systems.

The Water Works Board of the City of Auburn allows customers a one-time high bill adjustment per three-year period on abnormally high bills, irrigation meters are NOT eligible for this adjustment regardless of the cause for high usage. Irrigation systems are frequently installed at an insufficient depth, on the public right of way, and in areas of property subject to breakage. Typically, irrigation systems are not inspected for code compliance nor are the standards for piping very high. The Board suggests that owners monitor their irrigation systems very closely and turn them off when not in use to reduce the risk of lost water and a potentially high bill.

During a water crisis, irrigation meter usages are the first to be curtailed. Water must be reserved for domestic consumption.

If you have any further questions regarding irrigation meters, please contact the Water Revenue Office.