[redwitch]

The odds are the problem is in the sprinkler system. Give either Jim Baumgartner or Rupert Cross (352/406-8814) a call to check. However, if the variation is only about $20/month, the odds are that there is nothing wrong. More than likely, the rain sensor is adjusting as needed and watering more on dry days.

[slipcovers]

Change the flapper in the toilet tank. I had the same problem recently, toilet was running ever so slowly one could hardly notice. They wear out quickly, get soft, due to high chlorine in the water.,

[mixsonci]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

The brilliant logic is just that. As has been stated the only variable is usage.
What has been the usage each month? I would not do anything until I knew the usage.
Unless they know what they are doing I would not rely on renters adjusting the irrigation system.

That may be but it didn't have to be done so rudely. I am not an idiot and realize more consumption means more money. However, I wasn't sure what the problem was. I was asking a simple question of what could be causing the rise in cost, for all I know it didn't have anything to do with water usage, (in Massachusetts one year I was hit with an extra $800 bill at my Condo because of excessive snow removal that year, nothing to do with the water consumption) that was my point, maybe the road needed repairing, what could the causes be? And everyone after that one has given me some very good advice which is all I was asking for to begin with. I am not in Florida at the moment, in fact, I am in Africa so I can't exactly walk over and look. This didn't have to turn into a fiasco if people can just be nice to each other. I would never turn someone's question into a smarta.. answer.
Anyway, thank you everyone for your help.

[graciegirl]

Mix, I reread the couple of answers you got and I didn't see it as smarta$$, it just seemed like a reasonable answer. What Bogie said is spot on, evaluate the water usage on your bill because is is the only variable.


You can call the water company too and ask them.


That is what you get, running off to Africa and hanging out with all those pretty giraffes. This...HERE is lower Paradise. Hurry home.

I am just teasing, not aiming to be a smarta$$.

[784caroline]

Originally Posted by mixsonci

That may be but it didn't have to be done so rudely. I am not an idiot and realize more consumption means more money. However, I wasn't sure what the problem was. I was asking a simple question of what could be causing the rise in cost, for all I know it didn't have anything to do with water usage, (in Massachusetts one year I was hit with an extra $800 bill at my Condo because of excessive snow removal that year, nothing to do with the water consumption) that was my point, maybe the road needed repairing, what could the causes be? And everyone after that one has given me some very good advice which is all I was asking for to begin with. I am not in Florida at the moment, in fact, I am in Africa so I can't exactly walk over and look. This didn't have to turn into a fiasco if people can just be nice to each other. I would never turn someone's question into a smarta.. answer.
Anyway, thank you everyone for your help.

I suggest you "lighten" up. The post you are refering to was not rude.....direct and to the point... yes! People often respond, not only on this BB but many others, in short direct responses. Have you ever gotten a text message that you cannot understand what they are saying! I take every response for what it is and nothing more..some are worth while reading while others I simply dismiss. Also dont believe everything you read or hear on any BB including TOTV..... check it out and make your own decision based on other facts you can gather.

Regarding your issue, it sounds like you have a plan and a fair one at that. Since you are away you need to rely on your management company.

I just checked my bills and since the beginning of tJanuary, my feb/march and apr went up approx $10 each month but the the April bill Jumped $20 from March. I dont think your bills are that out of line considering you are not personally there to montitor water useage.

[CaptainMorgan]

Just because tennants don't see signs of a leak doesn't mean there isn't one. My Amenities bill suddenly went way up. I had sprinkler company and landscaper company check for leaks, they said everything was OK. I called Jim Baumgartner 352.504.2317. He did a brilliant job of diagnosing where the problem was (some where in roots in cluster of large palm trees) and bypassed the leak. Class guy!
Ed

[perrjojo]

Originally Posted by slipcovers

Change the flapper in the toilet tank. I had the same problem recently, toilet was running ever so slowly one could hardly notice. They wear out quickly, get soft, due to high chlorine in the water.,

We had the same problem and it increased our potable use $20. Got the seal replaced and all is back to normal.

Since you are in Africa you may not have access to your bill but the important thing to look at is which water useage is up, potable or non potable.

[Sable99]

This is a little off topic but it happened to us in a rental a few weeks ago.

We noticed the sprinklers had been running for several hours. I hate to think what the owners water bill is going to be.

I texted the management company and he came over. He said he checked the settings a few days prior to our arrival and that the settings were different.

We think the villa might have had a power surge because the garage door had to be re-programmed and the street light also went out.

[dewilson58]

Maybe the tone sum responses are because it's Friday the 13th.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by mixsonci

That may be but it didn't have to be done so rudely...... This didn't have to turn into a fiasco if people can just be nice to each other. I would never turn someone's question into a smarta.. answer.

You stated tenants had adjusted the irrigation system so it wouldn't run as often.
Even experienced owners sometimes have problems adjusting their systems.
I would only allow a person that is experienced with the system to make adjustments. It can be tricky.

I assume it was the following post that you found offensive.
More water use = larger bill
Less water use = smaller bill

I didn't find it rude at all, just short and succinct.
I think the poster was just pointing out that the variables are few in the bill.
Most are fixed .. the water use being the one variable.

[zcaveman]

The only variable in the water/amenities bill is the water - except for once a year when your amenity fee goes up. On the bill is the number of gallons used each month.

I have a spreadsheet into which I put these numbers and have a formula that tells me month-to-month and year-to-year what my water usage is so I can watch for possible problems.

Without trying to upset you, why don't you take your last 5-6 months bills and make a spreadsheet to see what the difference is in your monthly usage?

If you are on south of 466 you can do both the potable water and the non-potable water separately and see if the problem is in the house or in your irrigation system.

Z

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by mixsonci

That may be but it didn't have to be done so rudely. I am not an idiot and realize more consumption means more money. However, I wasn't sure what the problem was. I was asking a simple question of what could be causing the rise in cost, for all I know it didn't have anything to do with water usage, (in Massachusetts one year I was hit with an extra $800 bill at my Condo because of excessive snow removal that year, nothing to do with the water consumption) that was my point, maybe the road needed repairing, what could the causes be? And everyone after that one has given me some very good advice which is all I was asking for to begin with. I am not in Florida at the moment, in fact, I am in Africa so I can't exactly walk over and look. This didn't have to turn into a fiasco if people can just be nice to each other. I would never turn someone's question into a smarta.. answer.
Anyway, thank you everyone for your help.

Lighten up. We are here to help.

[janmcn]

With the amount of rain The Villages is receiving, there is no reason to be running an irrigation system at all. Tell your tenants to turn the system off and leave it off until you can have it checked out personally. And it's not even the rainy season yet.

[Neal2tire]

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[rubicon]

mixsonci: Every suggestion preceding this post was on point. However, I am probably the only resident who believes we are being overcharged for water.
The water bill is such that there is a base charge for water and irrigation. On top of that is a three tier rating system not found in other water districts in florida. There are other fixed fees in this bill that make no sense

If the water district believes that people who use more water should pay more that is fine. However then why do they still charge a base fee?

I went two months not using my irrigation with no leaks as verified by Jim B and yet had appreciable charges each month, Just like cable companies, telephone companies and the like this utility has a monopoly and it is milking it for everything it is worth. the problem is they can and they can because no one around here complains. And no one complains because if they did residents would complain about their complaining