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Water Use


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Posted

Looked at my last water bill and here are the totals for 2006.

Date Thous. Gallons Price

22-Dec-05 88 207.00

22-Feb-06 53 106.00

24-Apr-06 18  35.00

23-Jun-06 65 137.00

22-Aug-06 55 111.00

18-Oct-06 70 164.00

21-Dec-06 49 110.00

Totals           398   870.00

Wai`anae Steve-------www.waianaecrider.com
Living in Paradise, Leeward O`ahu, Hawai`i, USA
Temperature range yearly from say 95 to 62 degrees F
Only 3 hurricanes in the past 51 years and no damage. No floods where I am, No tornados, No earthquakes
No moles, squirrels, chipmunks, deer, etc. Just the neighbors "wild" chickens

Posted

Steve,

My December bill was the highest ever at $196.  With watering restrictions now in place (again), the water nazis are starting to drive around at odd hours.

Ray

Tampa, Interbay Peninsula, Florida, USA

subtropical USDA Zone 10A

Bokeelia, Pine Island, Florida, USA

subtropical USDA Zone 10B

Posted
  Quote
Steve,

My December bill was the highest ever at $196.  With watering restrictions now in place (again), the water nazis are starting to drive around at odd hours.

Ray

HOLY S@#T....  $196.00 for ONE MONTH???

Bobby

Long Island, New York  Zone 7a (where most of the southern Floridians are originally from)

AVERAGE TEMPS

Summer Highs  : 85-90f/day,  68-75f / night

Winter Lows     : 38-45f/day,   25-35f / night

Extreme Low    : 10-20f/day,    0-10f / night   but VERY RARE

Posted

My usage for 2006 was about like Steves, but the cost was about $500 less.

Larry 

Palm Harbor, FL 10a / Ft Myers, FL 10b

Posted

(BobbyinNY @ Feb. 06 2007,08:32)

QUOTE
  Quote
Steve,

My December bill was the highest ever at $196.  With watering restrictions now in place (again), the water nazis are starting to drive around at odd hours.

Ray

HOLY S@#T....  $196.00 for ONE MONTH???

If one is on straight city water/sewer it is unfortunately not all that hard to get a $200/mo water bill.

At $5 to $6 per 1000 gallons, $200 is only about 30,000 to 40,000 gallons.  This is obviously not a small amount of water, but it is easy to apply this amount to a relatively small yard.  Plus, normal house consumption also has to be considered.

Larry 

Palm Harbor, FL 10a / Ft Myers, FL 10b

Posted

My water bills have never been over $20.00 for 2 months.....Even in the dead of Summer when it's 90f..   I guess every area has it's expense..... Ours is Electric - that's a fortune.

Bobby

Long Island, New York  Zone 7a (where most of the southern Floridians are originally from)

AVERAGE TEMPS

Summer Highs  : 85-90f/day,  68-75f / night

Winter Lows     : 38-45f/day,   25-35f / night

Extreme Low    : 10-20f/day,    0-10f / night   but VERY RARE

Posted

Bobby,

Garbage and sewer are also included in that $196 but it's still expensive.  It never made much sense to use potable drinking water for irrigation but that is my only option.  Reclaimed water is always introduced last in areas that need it most.

Ray

Tampa, Interbay Peninsula, Florida, USA

subtropical USDA Zone 10A

Bokeelia, Pine Island, Florida, USA

subtropical USDA Zone 10B

Posted
  Quote
Bobby,

Garbage and sewer are also included in that $196 but it's still expensive.  It never made much sense to use potable drinking water for irrigation but that is my only option.  Reclaimed water is always introduced last in areas that need it most.

Ray

WOW, Ray... that IS expensive... but at least I know what my expenses will be going in.... I hate surprises when they're financial...   I still think it'll be alot cheaper than living here on Long Island with my Palm obsession... My electric bills with all my heaters running in the last couple weeks are going to be astrononmical (over $500.00/month, maybe even $600).. and heating oil is costing us about $400.00/month now that it's this cold..

Bobby

Long Island, New York  Zone 7a (where most of the southern Floridians are originally from)

AVERAGE TEMPS

Summer Highs  : 85-90f/day,  68-75f / night

Winter Lows     : 38-45f/day,   25-35f / night

Extreme Low    : 10-20f/day,    0-10f / night   but VERY RARE

Posted

(Ray @ Tampa,Feb. 06 2007,09:00)

QUOTE
 Reclaimed water is always introduced last in areas that need it most.

'Cause its too hard to get all the purple pipes in there!

Larry 

Palm Harbor, FL 10a / Ft Myers, FL 10b

Posted

(BobbyinNY @ Feb. 06 2007,08:37)

QUOTE
My water bills have never been over $20.00 for 2 months.....Even in the dead of Summer when it's 90f..   I guess every area has it's expense..... Ours is Electric - that's a fortune.

I have reclaimed water for the yard and my water bill last month was still $113.

As Ray noted, this bill includes sewer, trash, and recycling as well as the potable and recalimed water usage.  The portion of my bill attributable to landscape watering is generally under $30/mo.

Larry 

Palm Harbor, FL 10a / Ft Myers, FL 10b

Posted

(Ray, Tampa @ Feb. 06 2007,09:00)

QUOTE
 It never made much sense to use potable drinking water for irrigation but that is my only option.  

Can you pop in a well down there in South Tampa?

If so, and if reclaimed water is not planned anytime soon, the well may pay for itself in 2-3 years (maybe less).

My parents put a well in for irrigation only back in 1996 and it paid for itself in 18 months!  Every bit since then has been gravy.

Larry 

Palm Harbor, FL 10a / Ft Myers, FL 10b

Posted

Larry,

South Tampa, with all of its new manisons, is too much of cash cow for city governement to upset the status quo.  The well is not a bad idea but that is also lumped in under city water restrictions.  I expect the purple pipes will be installed locally by 2015.  By then, I'll be a Pine Islander.

Ray

Tampa, Interbay Peninsula, Florida, USA

subtropical USDA Zone 10A

Bokeelia, Pine Island, Florida, USA

subtropical USDA Zone 10B

Posted

My water bill is only for water.  I'm still using a cess pool that drains so no cost there!

There are only two of us home now and that $35 water bill for two months was during our 40 days of rain last year.  So my home only uses $35 worth of water.  The rest goes on the ground.

BTW my electric bill is about $100 a month no air conditioning or heating needed.  Land tax about $1200 a year.  Gasoline for the car $2.66/gal.

Wai`anae Steve-------www.waianaecrider.com
Living in Paradise, Leeward O`ahu, Hawai`i, USA
Temperature range yearly from say 95 to 62 degrees F
Only 3 hurricanes in the past 51 years and no damage. No floods where I am, No tornados, No earthquakes
No moles, squirrels, chipmunks, deer, etc. Just the neighbors "wild" chickens

Posted

I'm completely on well water and septic. For the most part, my water is negligible in cost. For the irrigation side of it, just the cost of electricity to pump it out, which is probably only $30-$40/month for 1 1/4 acre and then some rare equipment maintenance. But for the house water, I have to add in chlorine, softner salt, filters, so all in all, my house and irrigation water probably runs me about $60-$80/month.

Ray,

Not sure how the quality of well water is in Tampa area, but my original well was about 30-50 ft. deep and I had that rust stuff, which stained the sides of the house, deck, driveway, and sides of trees & palms. Was really bad. I found out later that if I ran well down to 100 ft. I would have a little sulfer smell, but no rust, so went ahead and did it. I can water to my hearts content now with no staining. Just a tip in case you decide to do it. Wish I had known that by just going deeper I could've solved the rust problem. I dealt with that mess for 6 years.

Royal Palm Beach, FL.

USDA Zone 10A/10B Subtropical

26.7 degrees N. latitude

10 miles West of West Palm Beach and the ocean

Avg. yearly rainfall 58 inches

:cool:

Posted
  Quote
My water bill is only for water.  I'm still using a cess pool that drains so no cost there!

There are only two of us home now and that $35 water bill for two months was during our 40 days of rain last year.  So my home only uses $35 worth of water.  The rest goes on the ground.

BTW my electric bill is about $100 a month no air conditioning or heating needed.  Land tax about $1200 a year.  Gasoline for the car $2.66/gal.

It's amazing how different utilities can be so different in different parts of the country.....

Our water is very cheap (and drinkable).

Our Land taxes are just RIDICULOUS (between 10,000-14,000/year for a normal $500k house)

Our Gasoline is about $2.41/gal for Self-serve Regular

Electric isn't too bad (if you're not me....lol).. about $75.00/month

Bobby

Long Island, New York  Zone 7a (where most of the southern Floridians are originally from)

AVERAGE TEMPS

Summer Highs  : 85-90f/day,  68-75f / night

Winter Lows     : 38-45f/day,   25-35f / night

Extreme Low    : 10-20f/day,    0-10f / night   but VERY RARE

Posted

....and we're surrounded by water.  It just doesn't make any sense.  Come on desalinization.

Tampa, Interbay Peninsula, Florida, USA

subtropical USDA Zone 10A

Bokeelia, Pine Island, Florida, USA

subtropical USDA Zone 10B

Posted
  Quote
....and we're surrounded by water.  It just doesn't make any sense.  Come on desalinization.

Ray,

I just can't understand why they haven't figured out a way to make this affordable. It seems like a no-brainer to me.

Bobby

Long Island, New York  Zone 7a (where most of the southern Floridians are originally from)

AVERAGE TEMPS

Summer Highs  : 85-90f/day,  68-75f / night

Winter Lows     : 38-45f/day,   25-35f / night

Extreme Low    : 10-20f/day,    0-10f / night   but VERY RARE

Posted

(BobbyinNY @ Feb. 07 2007,07:41)

QUOTE
  Quote
....and we're surrounded by water.  It just doesn't make any sense.  Come on desalinization.

Ray,

I just can't understand why they haven't figured out a way to make this affordable. It seems like a no-brainer to me.

Its still cheaper to just pump it out of the ground.

Like anything else, when the economics change, so will the methods used.

Larry 

Palm Harbor, FL 10a / Ft Myers, FL 10b

Posted

I still can't understand why water is so much more expensive in FL than it is here..... Does it maybe have to do with being so low to sea level?

Bobby

Long Island, New York  Zone 7a (where most of the southern Floridians are originally from)

AVERAGE TEMPS

Summer Highs  : 85-90f/day,  68-75f / night

Winter Lows     : 38-45f/day,   25-35f / night

Extreme Low    : 10-20f/day,    0-10f / night   but VERY RARE

Posted

(BobbyinNY @ Feb. 07 2007,08:50)

QUOTE
I still can't understand why water is so much more expensive in FL than it is here..... Does it maybe have to do with being so low to sea level?

Bobby-

Can you look at one of your bills and see what the cost is per 1000 gallons for both water and sewer separately?

Larry 

Palm Harbor, FL 10a / Ft Myers, FL 10b

Posted
  Quote
Bobby-

Can you look at one of your bills and see what the cost is per 1000 gallons for both water and sewer separately?

We don't have sewers in my neighborhood unfortunately - I have a septic tank.

Bobby

Long Island, New York  Zone 7a (where most of the southern Floridians are originally from)

AVERAGE TEMPS

Summer Highs  : 85-90f/day,  68-75f / night

Winter Lows     : 38-45f/day,   25-35f / night

Extreme Low    : 10-20f/day,    0-10f / night   but VERY RARE

Posted

(BobbyinNY @ Feb. 07 2007,08:58)

QUOTE
  Quote
Bobby-

Can you look at one of your bills and see what the cost is per 1000 gallons for both water and sewer separately?

We don't have sewers in my neighborhood unfortunately - I have a septic tank.

That explains it right there.

When I am talking about water costs, sewer charges are part of that.  And, the sewer portion is more expensive than the actual water.  But, the water is only metered coming IN, and the swer charge is based on the assumption that what comes IN must come back OUT :D

This is why the use of normal potable water for irrigation is so expensive.  One is being charged for sewer on water that never goes back out.  

The solution is reclaimed water (if available) or a second meter installed for only irrigation puposes.

Larry 

Palm Harbor, FL 10a / Ft Myers, FL 10b

Posted

I just checked my bill for last month.  It was a light one as far as irrigation goes (since it was on the cool side so I didnt water as much).

Here goes---

Reclaimed water usage - 16,420 gallons = $15.60

Potable water usage - 3,670 gallons = $14.33

Sewer charge - 3,670 gallons - $24.22

Refuse (trash pickup) - $18.98

Recycling (yes we get charged to recycle!) - $9.14

Storm water  - $5.65 (flat monthly charge)

Backflow - $3.00 (flat monthly charge)

Utility water tax - $2.99 (flat monthly charge)

Total bill = $93.91

Larry 

Palm Harbor, FL 10a / Ft Myers, FL 10b

Posted

So, in short, the actual potable water is only $3.90 per 1000 gallons.  Its all the other crap that adds up!  The sewer charge for that same water volume is $6.60 per 1000 gallons.

The reclaimed water is only $0.95 per 1000 gallons and there is obviously no associated sewer charge.

Larry 

Palm Harbor, FL 10a / Ft Myers, FL 10b

Posted
  Quote
The solution is reclaimed water (if available) or a second meter installed for only irrigation puposes

hmmmm... this is good to know, Larry....  Because when I move there, I'm probably gonna be watering my stuff alot to keep it green so I'd like to not be killed by a water bill...

Also, it's interesting that they lump all those fees together with the water bill.. Here in NY our water bill is for WATER ONLY...

Our Trash pickup is included in our property tax bill as is: Fire, police, & School.  I don't THINK we get charged for Recycling, but now I'll check and see.

Bobby

Long Island, New York  Zone 7a (where most of the southern Floridians are originally from)

AVERAGE TEMPS

Summer Highs  : 85-90f/day,  68-75f / night

Winter Lows     : 38-45f/day,   25-35f / night

Extreme Low    : 10-20f/day,    0-10f / night   but VERY RARE

Posted

Our water has a $30 minimum charge and includes 5000 gallons.  Each additional 1000 gallons is $5.  The most I've consumed this past year was 12,000 gallons in June.  I live out in the country a bit, so there is no sewer.  We have septic.  My trash collection is $10/month.  Electric is pretty good.  The most I've paid was about $200.  We have no gas in our home.  So heat is electric.  That's not spectacular when we have cold snaps.  Our house has some cold spots.  Unfortunately my room is one of them.  The electric bill this month will probably be the highest it's ever been.

The one bill that does not make sense in my area is the phone bill.  When I lived in Atlanta and had Bell South local service was about $15-20 /month.  Out where I live now we have a smaller carrier.  Local service is about $35/month.  With the charge for having long distance service associated with my phone, our bill is $50 /month before we even make any calls.  My neighbor has Vonage, but says the clarity is not so great yet.

Steve Johnson

Northeast of Atlanta, GA  

Zone 7b

Perfect weather for humans, borderline for palms

Posted

Here's our December bill:

"Usage Tier 1-7 units at 2.50 per unit:  $17.50 (usage total 7000)

Water Base:    $ 24.07

Sewer Lateral:  $1.10

Sewer Usage:   $22.93

Garbage:           $40.52

Total:  $106.12"

Ignorant me, I guess that "usage 7000" is 7000 gallons?

Beginning May and running through October, our water usage and Tier charge increase brings our total bill into the $150-$200 range.  This year, it will most certainly be higher than last, as we are potentially in a drought, and I'll have my entire yard planted up finally.  Total year's water/sewer/garbage budget -- around $2000.

Larry, interesting about being charged for sewer on water we never send there.  I never thought about that.

 San Francisco Bay Area, California

Zone 10a

Posted

ps -- that Garbage being $40.52 per month includes weekly recycling.  We recycle more than half our garbage, often 75% to 85% or more, and our recycle cans are just as large as our true trash cans.

 San Francisco Bay Area, California

Zone 10a

Posted

(Steve @ Feb. 07 2007,11:07)

QUOTE
Local service is about $35/month.  With the charge for having long distance service associated with my phone, our bill is $50 /month before we even make any calls.

Steve,

  Cancel you long distance carrier and go to Sam/COSTCO and buy a phone card.  You can make calls for about 3 cents a minute and only pay for what you use w/no service charge.

  I was using MCI and paying them $7 a month even when I made no long distance cards.

Wai`anae Steve-------www.waianaecrider.com
Living in Paradise, Leeward O`ahu, Hawai`i, USA
Temperature range yearly from say 95 to 62 degrees F
Only 3 hurricanes in the past 51 years and no damage. No floods where I am, No tornados, No earthquakes
No moles, squirrels, chipmunks, deer, etc. Just the neighbors "wild" chickens

Posted

(Kathy @ Feb. 07 2007,11:57)

QUOTE
ps -- that Garbage being $40.52 per month includes weekly recycling.  We recycle more than half our garbage, often 75% to 85% or more, and our recycle cans are just as large as our true trash cans.

We recycle alot too......even though Penn and Teller (love those guys!) say its actually harmful to do so.  But, it makes us "feel good".  LOL.

Penn and Teller Video on Recycling

Larry 

Palm Harbor, FL 10a / Ft Myers, FL 10b

Posted

(Kathy @ Feb. 07 2007,11:52)

QUOTE
Larry, interesting about being charged for sewer on water we never send there.  I never thought about that.

Theres only one meter....so whatever comes in is assumed to go out and one is charged as such.

Larry 

Palm Harbor, FL 10a / Ft Myers, FL 10b

Posted

(spockvr6 @ Feb. 07 2007,13:19)

QUOTE

(Kathy @ Feb. 07 2007,11:57)

QUOTE
ps -- that Garbage being $40.52 per month includes weekly recycling.  We recycle more than half our garbage, often 75% to 85% or more, and our recycle cans are just as large as our true trash cans.

We recycle alot too......even though Penn and Teller (love those guys!) say its actually harmful to do so.  But, it makes us "feel good".  LOL.

Penn and Teller Video on Recycling

Oh boy, there really are no answers in this world!  Everyone is in disagreement about everything on what is best for our world....

Can't burn our trash 'cuz that'll pollute.

Can't recycle our trash 'cuz that'll create sludge toxins and pollute.

Can't throw our trash away 'cuz we'll be buried in our own trash, and it'll harm wildlife with things like flying plastic bags and soda ring holder thingies, and pollute.

Can't use water 'cuz we don't have enough in most areas.

Can't desalinate water 'cuz it's too expensive.

Can't reclaim it everywhere.  Can't install catchment tanks on many homes' postage stamp lots.

Can't have uniform fees on all this stuff.

And I'm a "glass half full" person!  No wonder everyone is confused!  But I'm with you Larry.  I'll keep recycling for now 'cuz it makes me feel the best of all the horrible options.

 San Francisco Bay Area, California

Zone 10a

Posted

I think it's time we start recycling some people..... good for the ground AND the plants...lol :)

Bobby

Long Island, New York  Zone 7a (where most of the southern Floridians are originally from)

AVERAGE TEMPS

Summer Highs  : 85-90f/day,  68-75f / night

Winter Lows     : 38-45f/day,   25-35f / night

Extreme Low    : 10-20f/day,    0-10f / night   but VERY RARE

Posted
  Quote
Cancel you long distance carrier and go to Sam/COSTCO and buy a phone card.  You can make calls for about 3 cents a minute and only pay for what you use w/no service charge.

 I was using MCI and paying them $7 a month even when I made no long distance cards.

That's not a bad idea Steve.  I may look into that.  Especially since we make most of our long distance calls on our mobile phones.

Steve Johnson

Northeast of Atlanta, GA  

Zone 7b

Perfect weather for humans, borderline for palms

Posted

Just got my bill today and payin' it tomorrow:  5000 gallons, $17.25 for water, $17.04 for sewer plus a dollar for charity pledge = $35.29.  Worst elec bill: mid $200's, most months, less than $100.  Gas maybe $1.90/gal. right now.  Between cars we fill up once every two months - both 3 mi. from work.  We take the bus when no meetings to drive to.

School/property tax: don't get me started, $7K on $315K valuation.  No State income tax, thank God.

Steve

USDA Zone 9a/b, AHS Heat Zone 9, Sunset Zone 28

49'/14m above sea level, 25mi/40km to Galveston Bay

Long-term average rainfall 47.84"/1215mm

Near-term (7yr) average rainfall 55.44"/1410mm

Posted
  Quote
Worst elec bill: mid $200's

I wish that was my electric bill.. mine was $500 last month and this month I know it's gonna be around $700

Bobby

Long Island, New York  Zone 7a (where most of the southern Floridians are originally from)

AVERAGE TEMPS

Summer Highs  : 85-90f/day,  68-75f / night

Winter Lows     : 38-45f/day,   25-35f / night

Extreme Low    : 10-20f/day,    0-10f / night   but VERY RARE

Posted

Dude, I just watched that whole Penn and Teller video about recycling.  Now I feel like an a$$.  Damn you Penn and Teller, Damn you!!!!!!! :angry:

Matt Bradford

"Manambe Lavaka"

Spring Valley, CA (8.5 miles inland from San Diego Bay)

10B on the hill (635 ft. elevation)

9B in the canyon (520 ft. elevation)

Posted

(MattyB @ Feb. 08 2007,15:41)

QUOTE
Damn you Penn and Teller, Damn you!!!!!!! :angry:

If you watch some of their other videos....youll say the same thing on various other topics as well.

Penn and Teller Vids

Larry 

Palm Harbor, FL 10a / Ft Myers, FL 10b

Posted

My electric bill was $140 last month.  I have run the heat twice this year.

Tampa, Interbay Peninsula, Florida, USA

subtropical USDA Zone 10A

Bokeelia, Pine Island, Florida, USA

subtropical USDA Zone 10B

Posted

(Ray, Tampa @ Feb. 09 2007,17:27)

QUOTE
 I have run the heat twice this year.

Ray-

I lost count by November!

My wife does not like it cold, so our heat (we have natural gas) runs almost daily in winter.

Larry 

Palm Harbor, FL 10a / Ft Myers, FL 10b

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