A $14,000 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority will help the City of Horseshoe Bay encourage water conservation by providing customers with real-time information about their water use.

The grant, along with a matching contribution of $14,000 from the city, will allow Horseshoe Bay to purchase and implement WaterSmart software to help customers keep tabs on their water use.

City officials estimate the new program will save about 20 acre-feet, or about 6.5 million gallons, a year. That will save Horseshoe Bay customers about $30,000 annually.

"This grant is an opportunity to implement cutting-edge technology that will help our customers better manage their water use," said Jeff Koska, utilities director for Horseshoe Bay. "We're grateful for LCRA's support in helping us promote wiser management of water resources."

Because about 60 percent of Horseshoe Bay's annual water consumption is tied to landscape irrigation, real-time information about water use can help customers identify erroneous irrigation settings or leaks before they get their monthly bills, Koska said.

"Early detection of customer-side leaks and unnecessary consumption should lead to a higher level of conservation," Koska said. "Less water used in irrigation should mean less polluted runoff going into our storm sewers and then into Lake LBJ."

LCRA is proud to support Horseshoe Bay's water conservation efforts, said John Hofmann, LCRA executive vice president of Water.

"We all need to do our part to conserve water, and this new software will help customers learn of unusually high water use or potential leaks," Hofmann said. "Giving customers access to that information quickly will help conserve water, reduce water waste and save customers money. It's a win all the way around."

The grant also will allow Horseshoe Bay to allocate funds to other water conservation projects, including the replacement of aging water meters.

The grant is awarded through LCRA's Firm Water Conservation Cost-Share Program, which provides funding for water efficiency projects and programs established by LCRA's firm water customers. Customers include cities, utilities, industries, irrigation and recreational water users. Projects funded through the program can include converting irrigated areas using raw or potable water to recycled water, and decreasing utility system water loss through flushing reductions, leak detection and repair, or other efforts.