Show All Answers

1. How do I read my water meter?

In Rio Rancho, most water meters are located in the front yard. In the older subdivisions, the meter is under a round, plastic or metal lid.In the newer subdivisions, the meter is under a rectangular, gray fiberglass lid and you might share this meter box with your neighbor. However, you do not share the meter itself. Please be careful when opening the lid to the meter. There may be wires attached to the antenna; or spiders, or snakes may be residing in the meter can.

Rio Rancho meters read in gallons of water and they resemble a car odometer. The numbers listed below the word “Gallons” are in thousands of gallons that you have used since the meter has been installed. You will read the meter from left to right. See a picture of a Water Meter^PDF. You can also use your meter as a leak detector. To find out how to do this please visit our Detect and Fix Leaks page.

2. How do I apply for City water?

Please see our instructions on our Apply for a new Water/Wastewater Utility Account page.

3. How do I add someone to my water account?

Please see our instructions on our Change a Water/Wastewater Utility Account page.

4. How do I get my water turned back on?

Please see our instructions on our Turn On/Off Water at a Property page.

5. How do I sign up for an Automatic Bank Draft?

Please see our instructions on our Change a Water/Wastewater Utility Account page.

6. Is there anything I need to do when my new tenants take over the water bill?

Please see our instructions on our Finalize Water/Wastewater Utility Account page.

7. How do I close my water account?

Please see our instructions on our Finalize Water/Wastewater Utility Account page.

8. How can I reduce my high water bills?

Your high water/wastewater bills can be caused by leaks. If you are not sure if you have a leak please see our Detect and Fix Leaks page for details on how you can use your water meter to help you find common leaks in your home. You can also learn about water conservation method on our Water Conservation page. If you have exhausted the previous avenues then you may need to seek monetary assistance, please see our Water Assistance Programs page.

9. What is a Winter Quarter Average (WQA) and how is it calculated?

The Winter Quarter Average (WQA) is calculated by using your water/wastewater utility consumption used during the December, January, and February billing cycle. The WQA is used because it shows indoor domestic water consumption, which irrigation does not interfere with. The WQA is divided by the total amount of service days in the billing cycle to get a daily average usage. The daily average is then multiplied by 30.42, or 30.50 for leap years, to get your monthly average. Once this is calculated the new wastewater rate based off of your WQA is started in March every year. For more information visit our Water, Wastewater, and Recycled Water Rates page.

Example of the equation:(C ÷D)×Y =WQA

• C = Total Consumptions for the WQA billing cycle.
• D = Total number of days in the WQA billing cycle.
• Y=daily average multiplication number.
  • Use 30.42 for non-leap years.
  • Use 30.50 for leap years.
• WQA = this is the gallons per month charged as your wastewater rate for the next year.

10. Why does the City use the December, January, and February billing cycles for the Winter Quarter Average (WQA)?

The Winter Quarter Average (WQA) is used because it shows indoor domestic water consumption, which irrigation does not interfere with and it is a lower rate for figuring the average wastewater usage.

11. What if I just moved and do not have a December, January, or February billing cycle for the Winter Quarter Average (WQA)?

You will be classified as a new customer. All new residential customer’s wastewater volume charge is based on actual consumption or the class average, whichever is less until the next Winter Quarter Average period. The residential class average is currently four (4) thousand gallons.

12. When does the Winter Quarter Average (WQA) take effect on my bill?

The new Winter Quarter Average takes effect in March of every year.

13. How do I get a lower Winter Quarter Average (WQA)?

In order to get a lower Winter Quarter Average: start conserving your water in November, fix any leaking toilets or faucets, replace old toilets and washers with high-efficiency ones, and see our Water Conservation page for more information.