More rain means less Hays water customer revenue

As of May 23, Hays has already had 10.54 inches of moisture for the year.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Evening and late night thunderstorms rolled through Hays again Thursday.

Another 0.74 inches of rain was officially recorded May 23 at the K-State Agricultural Research Center south of town.

So for in May, 6.91 inches of rain has fallen in Hays. The average for the entire month is 3.24 inches.

Year-to-date moisture is 10.54 inches. Historically, Hays will see an average of 7.81 inches of moisture by the end of May.

Rain in Hays is generally considered a good thing, but the regularity of recent rainfalls has brought a negative consequence to the city.

Kim Rupp, finance director, reported to the Hays city commission Thursday night that in April month-to-date water consumption by city customers was down 22%.

“That translates to a decrease of 8.3% in water revenues and 66.5 % in conservation rate revenues to the city,” Rupp told commissioners. “Year-to-date total consumption and revenue are down 9.2% and 2.1% respectively.”

“The year-to-date rainfall compared to last year is likely contributing to the decrease [in water use by city customers],” Rupp added.