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High Meter Reads Impact Thousands of Austin Utility Customers

March 14, 2018 By Matt Sorenson

South Austin Irrigation thought we should let you know that more than 7,000 Austin residents discovered the importance of keeping tabs on water bills this September as they saw utility bills double, triple, or even multiply x 10 due to meter reading errors.

The incorrect meter reads occurred as the city transitioned between two city meter reading vendors. Corix Utilities performed August reads which were, in some cases, abnormally low, while September reads were performed by Bermex. It is unclear if the discrepancies were a result of human error or technical difficulties, said Robert Cullick of Austin Energy.

Austin resident O.T. Greer saw his water bill spike from $21 in August to $214 in September. His neighbors noticed similar patterns on their utility bills, and they organized to contact the City. Austin City Council Member Ellen Troxclair asked residents to contact her if they, too, find discrepancies on utility bills.

The Council Member noted that ongoing issues make it difficult for customers to trust that their bills are accurate.

“Audits have found that we have had issues with meter reading and of course there’s human error,” Troxclair said.

The city estimates about 7,400 customers were impacted by the misreads in August and September, with customers paying more across the two-month period than if the usage had been equally spread across the months.

An investigation into the problem showed that misreads were clustered on 135 out of 1,080 meter-reading routes.

The more than 7,000 Austin utility customers whose summer utility bill anomalies were determined to be related to incorrect meter readings will receive credits on water bills. Another 700 customers who had higher September bills compared to previous years may qualify for an additional High Bill Administrative Adjustment.

Customer credits average $20 and do not exceed $80 in most cases. Credits can be expected around mid-March. The total credit due to misreads will cost the city around $138,000, the city says.

Meter readers are now required to take photographs of each meter read. Although this process takes more time and money, the city has determined it is “necessary to create a visual record of each meter read.”

There you go.  Remember when you need your irrigation system inspected or repaired, South Austin Irrigation is the company to call at (512) 534-7449.

Filed Under: City of Austin Information Tagged With: water meter, Water news

Signs of Drought Again in Texas

January 17, 2018 By Matt Sorenson

While things are still fine in the Austin area, there are signs that drought is coming back to Texas. The level of Lake Travis has dropped almost 12 feet since last January, with the most of that drop, occurring during the summer months.

The United States Drought Monitor last October recorded that 87.34% of the state was drought-free. But today, it reports that only 27.08% is without drought, a massive change in just three months. While the vast majority of the drought-affected areas is still in its mildest stages, this is significant.

What this means for Austin homeowners is that they must continue to be vigilant on water use and to pay heed to the City’s water restrictions with their irrigation.

Winter is a great time to get your irrigation system checked. So call South Austin Irrigation for fast, on-site service at (512) 534-7449.

Filed Under: City of Austin Information Tagged With: Irrigation system improvements, Irrigation system maintenance

Austin’s Reclaimed Water Program Offers a Possible Drop in Water Rates and a Sustainable Alternative to Drinking Water Waste

November 17, 2017 By Matt Sorenson

Austin homeowners, along with large-scale irrigators, may have a chance to see a reduction in water fees by becoming part of Austin’s reclaimed water program.

Over 50 miles of reclaimed water runs in pipes beneath the streets, water that can be used for virtually anything other than top quality drinking water. For homeowners, such uses may include irrigation, decorative fountains and ponds, or toilet flushing. Reclaimed water also has many advantages in industrial usage and cooling towers.

Usually, up to 50% of a community’s drinking water is used for irrigation. With reclaimed water, customers can save precious drinking water while saving money. Users may also save on fertilizer, as reclaimed water has higher remainders of nitrogen and phosphorus. The use of reclaimed water also reduces the disposal of wastewater into waterways, lowering the nutrient overload these rivers often receive. Reclaimed water is a sustainable choice and a wise alternative to the use of drinking water for irrigation.

Reclaimed water is recycled from wastewater that comes from homes and businesses. It is then treated and made available for a variety of uses. It is less expensive to use or treat, around one-third the price of drinking water. It is treated for increased safety before being released back into the water system as standard effluent.

Clear and odorless, reclaimed water meets 90% of the standards for drinking water. It is not harmful to humans. Austin’s reclaimed water has passed all state and federal standards for non-potable water use.

New commercial developments are now required by city code to tap into the system for irrigation, cooling, and other uses.

Austin’s reclaimed water is also made available to those with water-hauling trucks at reclaimed water bulk water facilities throughout the area.

To see if your area is eligible to tap into the reclaimed water system, call Austin water at 512-972-0074. Reclaimed water may not be accessible or appropriate for all customers.

 

Filed Under: City of Austin Information Tagged With: Austin’s reclaimed water program, City of Austin Water Conservation, Water conservation watering lawns

Tips on Conserving Water and Saving Money

August 23, 2017 By Matt Sorenson

Austin area residents have faced Conservation Stage water restrictions for a long time.   This is not necessarily a bad thing as it teaches a sort of water discipline that is beneficial in good water times as well as bad.  Remaining in compliance not only avoids fines, but makes one a good steward for one of our most precious natural resources.

How can you do your part to ensure that your family’s water usage contiunes to meet or even improves upon these standards?

There are a few simple things that you can do personally to ensure that your children, and all the generations to come, will have enough clean water.

Water Calculator

Use the City of Austin’s water calculator to add up the consumption of your household or workplace. The water calculator factors in usage from showers, baths, toilets, doing dishes and laundry, lawn watering, swimming pools, and hoses. After figuring your usage, decide how you can cut back on water use.

Conserving More

If everyone in the Austin area pledged to reduce water usage by 10%, that would save around 13 million gallons every day!

Places where you might be able to save water include:

  • Take shorter showers
  • Check all faucets, toilets, plumbing, and irrigation systems for leaks
  • Replace leaky appliances or fixtures
  • Replace faucet aerators and showerheads with newer, water-saving models
  • Replace clothes washer with an Energy Star rated model
  • Water yards only on assigned days
  • Don’t let savings run down the drain! Turn it off while you brush your teeth, shampoo your hair, or hand wash dishes

Other Measures You Can Take as a Water Steward

If you would like to put even more effort into preserving water, you can go the extra mile.

  • Choose drought-tolerant plants for landscaping.
  • Catch rainwater in a barrel to water your plants, clean your in- and outdoor areas, or other uses.
  • Maybe even consider installing a filtered rainwater system in your home! Filtered rainwater works for cleaning and showers, and can be recycled for use in the yard and garden.

Acting as a water steward will not only save you money by keeping your water bill low and preventing you from being subject to fines, it will also save one of our most precious resources for the humans and animals that depend on it.

South Austin Irrigation, LLC specializes in irrigation and sprinkler repair, including system restorations, alterations to existing systems, field wiring problems, valve replacements and backflow replacement and installation. For any questions about problems or leaks, please contact us today.

 

Filed Under: City of Austin Information Tagged With: water conservation tips

Austin Water Restrictions Still Ongoing

July 25, 2017 By Matt Sorenson

As the dog days of summer swelter by, Austin residents have escaped the worst of this year’s summertime drought conditions, although patches of dry areas and moderate drought continue around the city area. Conservation Stage restrictions remain in place for residential and commercial water usage.

This includes washing and detailing cars. Cars may be washed using a bucket or auto shut-off hose, and commercial car washes should meet all water usage and equipment requirements.

One thing you should be aware of is that washing cars does allow contaminants into the eco-system.  Oil and grease from vehicles can wash into waterways, harming plants and aquatic life and disturbing recreation areas. Soaps can cause algae blooms, which eventually leads to fish kills and smelly, bad-tasting drinking water. Dying algae can also clog storm drains and result in flooding.

This is why local water conservation regulations require large scale car washing events such as charity car washes to be performed in a commercial car wash that meets efficiency requirements in order for the parties involved to avoid being subject to fines.

Several car washes in the Austin area offer partnerships with local organizations to raise funds through the use of vouchers. Commercial car washes are better for the environment because of their efficient equipment and because they reclaim water from the car wash.

Thought you would like to know.

Remember, if your irrigation system has a problem, South Austin Irrigation is the place to call at (512) 534-7449.

 

Filed Under: City of Austin Information Tagged With: water conservation tips

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Important message:
South Austin Irrigation is very mindful of the health and safety of its customers and employees and we are taking all possible precautions against the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
For customers practicing self-isolation or social distancing, please be assured that we will perform repairs and adjustments to your sprinkler system at a safe distance and without the need for close contact.

Our Services Include:

  • Consultation
  • Main and Lateral Line Repairs
  • Pop-up and Rotor Replacement
  • Broken PVC and Copper Pipe Repairs
  • Electrical Troubleshooting
  • System Leaks
  • Backflow Replacement and Installation
  • Valve Locating Repair and Replacement
  • Reroutes for Mature Trees and Patio Additions
  • Controller Replacement and Upgrades
  • Water Conservation by System Upgrade
  • Custom Scheduling
  • Drainage Repair & Maintenance
  • Lawn Irrigation System Adjustments
  • Sprinkler Head Replacement
  • Underground Sprinkler Weatherization
  • Unclog and Adjust Heads and Nozzles
South Austin Irrigation

Google Reviews

South Austin Irrigation, LLC
South Austin Irrigation, LLC
5.0
Based on 19 reviews
See all reviewsWrite a review
Ed Burgess
Ed Burgess
16:09 18 Aug 20
Most excellent work! These... guys know their stuff, and take the time to make sure the work is done right. Very professional and conscientious!read more
Russ Brown
Russ Brown
00:06 15 Jul 20
On time, efficient, quality... work at a reasonable price. Highly recommend.read more
Becca Friedman
Becca Friedman
14:22 12 May 20
I've been waiting to write... this review for far too long. I wanted to do it justice. Still worried it won't be good enough ;)I saw the stellar reviews for South Austin Irrigation and with a mystery leak on my hands, really wanted the best. So I gave them a call. Matt promptly responded, listened to my issue, set solid expectations, and then sent Dave to my home.Dave arrived on time (early, if i recall) with the biggest smile on his face. I knew it was going to be a good visit. Dave was straightforward, no bs, and fun to talk to. He helped me understand my system, pointed out things I could do to improve it if I wanted, but never over-sold. He was honest about what the return on investment could be, and helped identify the cause of the massive water loss experienced (glitch or incidental adjustment of the system).My water bills were immediately back on track after that visit, and I had a plan for the future. But more than anything, I'd had a great time learning about something I never thought I'd ever enjoy - irrigation. And I feel like I've made a friend in the process. I trust South Austin Irrigation. That's hard to say about home service. You should too.Now if only they weren't so good at their jobs I'd have a reason to call on them. Can you teach other businesses how to operate? lolThanks again Matt and Dave. Really spectacular service. I recommend you to all my friends.read more
John Boozer
John Boozer
00:52 05 Feb 20
First time working with Matt... today and couldn't be more impressed! He is very knowledgeable and helpful, and not only took care of the problem I had, but also gave me lots of helpful tips to prevent further problems. I'll definitely be referring Matt to anyone I know that needs help with their sprinkler systems. Thanks Matt!read more
Ben Schreiber
Ben Schreiber
22:04 01 Dec 19
Nathan Erwin
Nathan Erwin
23:14 15 Oct 19
Dave came out to provide an... evaluation since someone (me) ruined the drip line in the front of our house when aerifying. It didn't take him but a few seconds to know it was going to need to be replaced. The other 59 minutes he taught and walked me through everything I didn't know about my irrigation system, which was a lot. I would recommend SAI to anyone who wants to better understand how their system works or has an issue that needs to be addressed.read more
Karen Shah
Karen Shah
21:44 15 Oct 19
Dave did an excellent job not... only replacing a control valve but thoroughly explaining and showing me the issue. He was super quick to respond, coming out within an hour and a half of my call. Reasonable price, fast, friendly - couldn't ask for more. Highly recommended!read more
Lee Polson
Lee Polson
22:47 29 Aug 19
On time, friendly and... inexpensive.read more
Jackie Jason Sabella Roche
Jackie Jason Sabella Roche
16:52 27 Aug 19
Highly recommend South Austin... Irrigation. Matt did an excellent job replacing our sprinkler system’s control panel. He made sure everything worked properly, and he spent time explaining the settings on the panel. He also quickly replaced a broken line in a flower bed. We hope we don’t have issues with our system in the future, but if we do, we will not hesitate to use them again.read more
Allan Hawkins
Allan Hawkins
18:08 31 Jul 19
I’ve known Matt and his team... for at least 5 years. He’s done multiple projects at 2 of my homes. He has always been reliable, honest, and knowledgeable. He will walk you through your issue and discuss options without up-selling. If you have an irrigation need, and you can squeeze into his schedule, he is a great choice.read more
Cue Boykin
Cue Boykin
17:01 22 Jan 19
I've used Matt at South... Austin Irrigation for years. Matt is knowledgeable, efficient, courteous, prompt, and reasonable. South Austin is my one-stop shop for all my irrigation needs.read more
Jeff Roberts
Jeff Roberts
22:33 10 Dec 18
Just had Matt out to work on... a customer's sprinkler system that one of our driver's accidentally broke. Matt was incredibly capable and had every tool-of-the-trade imaginable. The troubleshooting and work was completed swiftly, and the price was very reasonable. I will definitely be using South Austin Irrigation in the future and highly recommend them for any sprinkler system maintenance needs.read more
Phil Evans
Phil Evans
18:00 20 Aug 18
Thorough in sprinkler repair.
John Land
John Land
20:17 02 Jun 18
Excellent Service - I have... been using Matt and his company South Austin Irrigation for the last 6 or 7 years and could not be happier with his service. He is courteous, communicates well and has a great attitude and sense of humor. Matt is the best at what he does. He explains his work and advises well with providing the pros and cons with budget in mind. I wish that everyone I hire to perform services at my home were as good as Matt is, he sets a high bar of excellence.read more
Philip Watts
Philip Watts
05:55 11 Feb 18
In a recent long freeze our... sprinkler system suffered from a burst. I switched off the irrigation water and called Matt from South Austin Irrigation. He came out pretty quickly, investigated the problem and talked over how to fix it, how to winterize it in future, and answered other questions I had. He was very knowledgeable and helpful, and fixed the system after ordering a part. I am very happy with South Austin Irrigation's work and employees that I dealt with. I would definitely recommend them to anyone who needs their services.read more
Joan Jackson
Joan Jackson
13:52 08 Oct 17
Excellent, quality work. ... Matt, the owner, is reliable and explain all charges clearly, with options for how to repair.read more
Emanuel Saba
Emanuel Saba
21:22 02 Mar 17
I've worked with Matt on a... few different occasions and every time he has been extremely professional, timely and most importantly does it right. He really knows the business. His work lasts and is done right. Highly recommend for anyone needing any type of irrigation repair, adding lines, fixing leaks, etc...he does it all!read more
David T
David T
03:17 16 Oct 16
Matt with South Austin... Irrigation has been my go-to irrigation company for many changes we've made to our yard over the last 4 years. We've done extensive rock work throughout the front and back yards (which required major irrigation changes); converted an entire zone of our irrigation system to a low-pressure drip irrigation system for my 1000 sq ft "in-ground" garden, plus a recent drainage project to top it off.My experiences with South Austin Irrigation have always been good - Matt is professional and punctual, and has always known what to do to solve the issues I've thrown at him. I was using other companies before I found him, so I can say that his rates are very competitive as well.Matt is a good communicator and doesn't mind taking time to explain the reasons for doing something one way or another, and then letting you make an informed decision about how you want to handle it. Of course, if you'd rather just stay out of it and let him make the decisions (I'm too curious for that!), he's more than capable of doing that as well.read more
Raymond Loren Naylor
Raymond Loren Naylor
14:56 02 Jan 12
Knowledgeable service... technician. Work performed a quickly and efficiently. Pleased with ovaerall experience. Even helped understand importance of wartering timing.read more
Next Reviews

Our sprinkler repair service areas include:

  • Austin, TX
  • Lakeway, TX
  • Spicewood, TX
  • Horseshoe Bay, TX
  • Dripping Springs, TX
  • Wimberly, TX

Give us a call for sprinkler repair and service in your area: (512) 534-7449

We Service Many Irrigation Brands:

  • Toro
  • Nelson Turf
  • KRain
  • HydroRain
  • Berkeley
  • Irritrol
  • Rain Bird
  • Rachio
  • Hunter

Payments

South Austin Irrigation accepts Visa and Mastercard

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Irrigation in Texas is regulated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) (MC-178)
P.O. Box 13087, Austin, Texas 78711-3087 · www.tceq.state.tx.us
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