Central Arkansas Water customers can no longer avoid irrigation charge during off-season

LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — Central Arkansas Water (CAW) irrigation customers can no longer avoid a monthly charge for their irrigation system during the off-season.

A notice sent to customers last month said effective July 2023, they can expect to notice changes to their bill as it relates to irrigation services.

While the monthly water availability charge for irrigation services will decrease, customers will no longer be able to pause services and avoid paying a monthly fee.

The availability charge for irrigation meters was reduced from $7.85 to $5.31 on a 5/8” meter, which is the standard size meter for residential irrigation customers CAW told Seven On Your Side.

As 7OYS previously reported, customers had the ability to shut off their meter during the winter months and if they notified CAW, they wouldn’t be charged the availability charge until they turned it back on for a $5 turn-on charge.

CAW spokesperson Doug Shackelford said, "Few customers were calling in and saying that they had shut their meter off, so this new structure will save money for most CAW irrigation customers and provides a more consistent structure. Customers can continue to shut off their meter to winterize it during the cold months."

If a homeowner chooses to remove their sprinkler system, CAW will terminate that service.

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