Is $200 water bill every two months too high for three people?

[UCGal]

[quote=flu]This depends on whether this bill is water usage charge only or if it’s water usage + water fixed costs + sewage costs.

$200 for all three in two months is roughly my water usage+fixed costs + sewage costs.

My august bill consisted of the past two months included

$39 water base fee (pipe size 3/4″)
$79 water usage fee
$33 sewer base fee
$81 sewer usage fee
$2 storm drain fee
$13 credit

So roughly $221/every two months

My water usage was 21 HCF. The water company feels i should only be using 14 HCF, so charged me 7 HCF at a higher rate. So I was charged $51 for the first 14 HCF and $27 for the last 7 HCF.

1 HCF = 748 gallons.

My observation was that conserving water usage really doesn’t reduce your bill in a meaningful way. Don’t get me wrong, conserving water is a good thing in itself. It’s just isn’t not really saving that much money. The majority of my bill is in the other charges.[/quote]

I don’t think they’re saying that you should only use 14 HCF. Just that this is the amount in the lowest rate tier. The rates step up.

The vast majority of San Diegans are into the second tier – and those with the golf course lawns, lots of water features and pools, etc… probably kick into the third tier.

Here’s some more data points… Since Piggington is all about the data.

We had the same usage as you for the May bill when my inlaws were in the granny flat (they’re visiting other family for the summer). So our single bill for both the granny flat and casita was for a household of 4 adults, 2 kids, 10k sf yard. This summer we’ve had my step niece and her family living in the granny flat, while they remodel their house – so instead of 2 adults, it’s 2 adults and 2 kids under 3. Hello laundry!!! So the bill kicked up to 25 HCF.

Our yard is mostly trees, drought tolerant ground cover, and mulch, not much grass. We do drip irrigation, recycle the water from our outdoor shower to water the trees, etc.

But I agree that the fixed costs are a big percentage
Here’s our fixed (non usage) costs:
– $38.66 for the 3/4″ line
– $32.56 sewer base
– ($1.90) sewer base credit
– ($6.70) sewer settlement credit
– ($3.02) sewer service settlement
– 1.90 for the storm drain.

It match’s flu’s.

and the usage costs:
– $93.66 water
– $51.77 sewer (based on water usage)

(Interesting that FLU’s sewer usage was higher than the water usage. I don’t know how that’s possible. As far as I know they don’t monitor sewer output. LOL.)

[Coronita]

[quote=UCGal]
It match’s flu’s.

and the usage costs:
– $93.66 water
– $51.77 sewer (based on water usage)

(Interesting that FLU’s sewer usage was higher than the water usage. I don’t know how that’s possible. As far as I know they don’t monitor sewer output. LOL.)[/quote]

Well, without a colon, I shit a lot….Lol….

In all seriousness, I thing sewer also includes refuse service (trash collection)…And I’m told that that can vary depending on where you live and the size of the trash can(s) . Though I don’t think I have an option to use a smaller can. I think in some areas, like downtown, people don’t need to pay for trash collection, because they were grandfathered in. You probably live in an area where the cost is lower.

In any case, I said this before….Water usage in itself isn’t really the majority of the cost. It’s everything else. And also when the water dept told everyone to conserve water, they ended up just jacking up the rates of water usage + everything else to make up for the lost review anyway…. So this entire “save water because it will save money” is a sham…Save water because it saves the environment.

[Coronita]

[quote=UCGal]
It match’s flu’s.

and the usage costs:
– $93.66 water
– $51.77 sewer (based on water usage)

(Interesting that FLU’s sewer usage was higher than the water usage. I don’t know how that’s possible. As far as I know they don’t monitor sewer output. LOL.)[/quote]

Well, without a colon, I shit a lot….Lol….

In all seriousness, I thing sewer also includes refuse service (trash collection)…And I’m told that that can vary depending on where you live and the size of the trash can(s) . Though I don’t think I have an option to use a smaller can. I think in some areas, like downtown, people don’t need to pay for trash collection, because they were grandfathered in. You probably live in an area where the cost is lower.

In any case, I said this before….Water usage in itself isn’t really the majority of the cost. It’s everything else. And also when the water dept told everyone to conserve water, they ended up just jacking up the rates of water usage + everything else to make up for the lost review anyway…. So this entire “save water because it will save money” is a sham…Save water because it saves the environment.

[Coronita]

[quote=UCGal]
It match’s flu’s.

and the usage costs:
– $93.66 water
– $51.77 sewer (based on water usage)

(Interesting that FLU’s sewer usage was higher than the water usage. I don’t know how that’s possible. As far as I know they don’t monitor sewer output. LOL.)[/quote]

Well, without a colon, I shit a lot….Lol….

In all seriousness, I thing sewer also includes refuse service (trash collection)…And I’m told that that can vary depending on where you live and the size of the trash can(s) . Though I don’t think I have an option to use a smaller can. I think in some areas, like downtown, people don’t need to pay for trash collection, because they were grandfathered in. You probably live in an area where the cost is lower.

In any case, I said this before….Water usage in itself isn’t really the majority of the cost. It’s everything else. And also when the water dept told everyone to conserve water, they ended up just jacking up the rates of water usage + everything else to make up for the lost review anyway…. So this entire “save water because it will save money” is a sham…Save water because it saves the environment.

[Coronita]

[quote=UCGal]
It match’s flu’s.

and the usage costs:
– $93.66 water
– $51.77 sewer (based on water usage)

(Interesting that FLU’s sewer usage was higher than the water usage. I don’t know how that’s possible. As far as I know they don’t monitor sewer output. LOL.)[/quote]

Well, without a colon, I shit a lot….Lol….

In all seriousness, I thing sewer also includes refuse service (trash collection)…And I’m told that that can vary depending on where you live and the size of the trash can(s) . Though I don’t think I have an option to use a smaller can. I think in some areas, like downtown, people don’t need to pay for trash collection, because they were grandfathered in. You probably live in an area where the cost is lower.

In any case, I said this before….Water usage in itself isn’t really the majority of the cost. It’s everything else. And also when the water dept told everyone to conserve water, they ended up just jacking up the rates of water usage + everything else to make up for the lost review anyway…. So this entire “save water because it will save money” is a sham…Save water because it saves the environment.

[Coronita]

[quote=UCGal]
It match’s flu’s.

and the usage costs:
– $93.66 water
– $51.77 sewer (based on water usage)

(Interesting that FLU’s sewer usage was higher than the water usage. I don’t know how that’s possible. As far as I know they don’t monitor sewer output. LOL.)[/quote]

Well, without a colon, I shit a lot….Lol….

In all seriousness, I thing sewer also includes refuse service (trash collection)…And I’m told that that can vary depending on where you live and the size of the trash can(s) . Though I don’t think I have an option to use a smaller can. I think in some areas, like downtown, people don’t need to pay for trash collection, because they were grandfathered in. You probably live in an area where the cost is lower.

In any case, I said this before….Water usage in itself isn’t really the majority of the cost. It’s everything else. And also when the water dept told everyone to conserve water, they ended up just jacking up the rates of water usage + everything else to make up for the lost review anyway…. So this entire “save water because it will save money” is a sham…Save water because it saves the environment.

[Coronita]

[quote=flu][quote=UCGal]
It match’s flu’s.

and the usage costs:
– $93.66 water
– $51.77 sewer (based on water usage)

(Interesting that FLU’s sewer usage was higher than the water usage. I don’t know how that’s possible. As far as I know they don’t monitor sewer output. LOL.)[/quote]

Well, without a colon, I shit a lot….Lol….

In all seriousness, I thing sewer also includes refuse service (trash collection)…And I’m told that that can vary depending on where you live and the size of the trash can(s) . Though I don’t think I have an option to use a smaller can. I think in some areas, like downtown, people don’t need to pay for trash collection, because they were grandfathered in. You probably live in an area where the cost is lower.

In any case, I said this before….Water usage in itself isn’t really the majority of the cost. It’s everything else. And also when the water dept told everyone to conserve water, they ended up just jacking up the rates of water usage + everything else to make up for the lost review anyway…. So this entire “save water because it will save money” is a sham…Save water because it saves the environment.[/quote]

Never mind my comment about trash collection service. I think I was smoking something when I wrote that. I am confusing san diego with bay area. I think for the matter we pay for refuse service via our taxes here in San Diego.

[Coronita]

[quote=flu][quote=UCGal]
It match’s flu’s.

and the usage costs:
– $93.66 water
– $51.77 sewer (based on water usage)

(Interesting that FLU’s sewer usage was higher than the water usage. I don’t know how that’s possible. As far as I know they don’t monitor sewer output. LOL.)[/quote]

Well, without a colon, I shit a lot….Lol….

In all seriousness, I thing sewer also includes refuse service (trash collection)…And I’m told that that can vary depending on where you live and the size of the trash can(s) . Though I don’t think I have an option to use a smaller can. I think in some areas, like downtown, people don’t need to pay for trash collection, because they were grandfathered in. You probably live in an area where the cost is lower.

In any case, I said this before….Water usage in itself isn’t really the majority of the cost. It’s everything else. And also when the water dept told everyone to conserve water, they ended up just jacking up the rates of water usage + everything else to make up for the lost review anyway…. So this entire “save water because it will save money” is a sham…Save water because it saves the environment.[/quote]

Never mind my comment about trash collection service. I think I was smoking something when I wrote that. I am confusing san diego with bay area. I think for the matter we pay for refuse service via our taxes here in San Diego.

[Coronita]

[quote=flu][quote=UCGal]
It match’s flu’s.

and the usage costs:
– $93.66 water
– $51.77 sewer (based on water usage)

(Interesting that FLU’s sewer usage was higher than the water usage. I don’t know how that’s possible. As far as I know they don’t monitor sewer output. LOL.)[/quote]

Well, without a colon, I shit a lot….Lol….

In all seriousness, I thing sewer also includes refuse service (trash collection)…And I’m told that that can vary depending on where you live and the size of the trash can(s) . Though I don’t think I have an option to use a smaller can. I think in some areas, like downtown, people don’t need to pay for trash collection, because they were grandfathered in. You probably live in an area where the cost is lower.

In any case, I said this before….Water usage in itself isn’t really the majority of the cost. It’s everything else. And also when the water dept told everyone to conserve water, they ended up just jacking up the rates of water usage + everything else to make up for the lost review anyway…. So this entire “save water because it will save money” is a sham…Save water because it saves the environment.[/quote]

Never mind my comment about trash collection service. I think I was smoking something when I wrote that. I am confusing san diego with bay area. I think for the matter we pay for refuse service via our taxes here in San Diego.

[Coronita]

[quote=flu][quote=UCGal]
It match’s flu’s.

and the usage costs:
– $93.66 water
– $51.77 sewer (based on water usage)

(Interesting that FLU’s sewer usage was higher than the water usage. I don’t know how that’s possible. As far as I know they don’t monitor sewer output. LOL.)[/quote]

Well, without a colon, I shit a lot….Lol….

In all seriousness, I thing sewer also includes refuse service (trash collection)…And I’m told that that can vary depending on where you live and the size of the trash can(s) . Though I don’t think I have an option to use a smaller can. I think in some areas, like downtown, people don’t need to pay for trash collection, because they were grandfathered in. You probably live in an area where the cost is lower.

In any case, I said this before….Water usage in itself isn’t really the majority of the cost. It’s everything else. And also when the water dept told everyone to conserve water, they ended up just jacking up the rates of water usage + everything else to make up for the lost review anyway…. So this entire “save water because it will save money” is a sham…Save water because it saves the environment.[/quote]

Never mind my comment about trash collection service. I think I was smoking something when I wrote that. I am confusing san diego with bay area. I think for the matter we pay for refuse service via our taxes here in San Diego.

[Coronita]

[quote=flu][quote=UCGal]
It match’s flu’s.

and the usage costs:
– $93.66 water
– $51.77 sewer (based on water usage)

(Interesting that FLU’s sewer usage was higher than the water usage. I don’t know how that’s possible. As far as I know they don’t monitor sewer output. LOL.)[/quote]

Well, without a colon, I shit a lot….Lol….

In all seriousness, I thing sewer also includes refuse service (trash collection)…And I’m told that that can vary depending on where you live and the size of the trash can(s) . Though I don’t think I have an option to use a smaller can. I think in some areas, like downtown, people don’t need to pay for trash collection, because they were grandfathered in. You probably live in an area where the cost is lower.

In any case, I said this before….Water usage in itself isn’t really the majority of the cost. It’s everything else. And also when the water dept told everyone to conserve water, they ended up just jacking up the rates of water usage + everything else to make up for the lost review anyway…. So this entire “save water because it will save money” is a sham…Save water because it saves the environment.[/quote]

Never mind my comment about trash collection service. I think I was smoking something when I wrote that. I am confusing san diego with bay area. I think for the matter we pay for refuse service via our taxes here in San Diego.

[enron_by_the_sea]

One quick thing that you may want to check is if you have a small water leak. Maybe they already checked this during inspection.

First make sure that no one is using water and see if water meter arrow is still spinning. You may want to take a picture of the arrow and compare it to the position 5-10 mins later or so. If it is spinning, you may have a leak. You can then try shutting off various valves to pinpoint where it is.

[quote=UCGal]

(Interesting that FLU’s sewer usage was higher than the water usage. I don’t know how that’s possible. As far as I know they don’t monitor sewer output. LOL.)[/quote]

Also sewer bill is calculated based on the lowest water use month in the winter (Nov- March period?) So if you turn off/minimally use irrigation in winter, it will lower your sewer bill for the next year. (at least in San Diego city water district). Coversely, if you used lot of water in winter and only little bit in summer, your sewer bill may get bigger than water bill, I think

[enron_by_the_sea]

One quick thing that you may want to check is if you have a small water leak. Maybe they already checked this during inspection.

First make sure that no one is using water and see if water meter arrow is still spinning. You may want to take a picture of the arrow and compare it to the position 5-10 mins later or so. If it is spinning, you may have a leak. You can then try shutting off various valves to pinpoint where it is.

[quote=UCGal]

(Interesting that FLU’s sewer usage was higher than the water usage. I don’t know how that’s possible. As far as I know they don’t monitor sewer output. LOL.)[/quote]

Also sewer bill is calculated based on the lowest water use month in the winter (Nov- March period?) So if you turn off/minimally use irrigation in winter, it will lower your sewer bill for the next year. (at least in San Diego city water district). Coversely, if you used lot of water in winter and only little bit in summer, your sewer bill may get bigger than water bill, I think

[enron_by_the_sea]

One quick thing that you may want to check is if you have a small water leak. Maybe they already checked this during inspection.

First make sure that no one is using water and see if water meter arrow is still spinning. You may want to take a picture of the arrow and compare it to the position 5-10 mins later or so. If it is spinning, you may have a leak. You can then try shutting off various valves to pinpoint where it is.

[quote=UCGal]

(Interesting that FLU’s sewer usage was higher than the water usage. I don’t know how that’s possible. As far as I know they don’t monitor sewer output. LOL.)[/quote]

Also sewer bill is calculated based on the lowest water use month in the winter (Nov- March period?) So if you turn off/minimally use irrigation in winter, it will lower your sewer bill for the next year. (at least in San Diego city water district). Coversely, if you used lot of water in winter and only little bit in summer, your sewer bill may get bigger than water bill, I think

[enron_by_the_sea]

One quick thing that you may want to check is if you have a small water leak. Maybe they already checked this during inspection.

First make sure that no one is using water and see if water meter arrow is still spinning. You may want to take a picture of the arrow and compare it to the position 5-10 mins later or so. If it is spinning, you may have a leak. You can then try shutting off various valves to pinpoint where it is.

[quote=UCGal]

(Interesting that FLU’s sewer usage was higher than the water usage. I don’t know how that’s possible. As far as I know they don’t monitor sewer output. LOL.)[/quote]

Also sewer bill is calculated based on the lowest water use month in the winter (Nov- March period?) So if you turn off/minimally use irrigation in winter, it will lower your sewer bill for the next year. (at least in San Diego city water district). Coversely, if you used lot of water in winter and only little bit in summer, your sewer bill may get bigger than water bill, I think

[Author]

Posts