[DonH57]

Even though your irrigation system may have been set down if the rain sensor is not working you may be watering even when it's raining. I replaced ours and during this time year our usage has went down.

[perrjojo]

Wow ...30 replies so far...please let us know what you find to be the problem.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I'm in Lake County and I have to pay separately for trash so my bill only include water and amenities. But the water and amenities are itemized on my bill. Are the itemized on your bill? If so,you should be able to look at your last several bills and see what is going up. Also, the rate for water per gallon are on the bill. You should be able to tell if the rate went up or your usage went up.

[shcisamax]

Due to this thread, I checked our irrigation system. I don't know how or when it happened but the system had changed from 20 minutes to 31 minutes.

[mixsonci]

Thank you everyone, I got some really good advice and now have to figure out the easiest way to find the problem. Being that I am not in the US, I pay my bill electronically and the paper bill is sent to my mother's house, so I don't see them and can't compare them. I think I'll start by having my Management Company call the water department and check it out and go from there.

[buzzy]

Originally Posted by shcisamax

Due to this thread, I checked our irrigation system. I don't know how or when it happened but the system had changed from 20 minutes to 31 minutes.

Probably the automatic seasonal change which is built into the controller. The newer Hunter controllers have a "Solar Synch" computer that contains both a seasonal profile and a humidity sensor. When the profile calls for more watering, the zone run times are adjusted upward. If the homeowner reduces the times, the computer bumps them back up over night. It's designed that way.

There are ways around this, including deactivating the Solar Synch, but they are not obvious. A pro would know.

[mixsonci]

Originally Posted by 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$$.

Humor is great, I love it and trust me I would much rather be there with you guys than here in South Sudan where there are no exciting Safaris to go on. I hate to rush my life away, but December can't come fast enough. Maybe I overreacted a bit but at the time it just hit me the wrong way.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by buzzy

Probably the automatic seasonal change which is built into the controller. The newer Hunter controllers have a "Solar Synch" computer that contains both a seasonal profile and a humidity sensor. When the profile calls for more watering, the zone run times are adjusted upward. If the homeowner reduces the times, the computer bumps them back up over night. It's designed that way. There are ways around this, including deactivating the Solar Synch, but they are not obvious. A pro would know.

TOTV is a great source of information. Thank you Buzzy.

I've never heard of Solar Synch before.
How very interesting.
You say "newer" Hunter controllers have a Solar Synch computer.
Do you know what year this started?

[PaPaLarry]

Irrigation water is more expensive, then regular water for house.

[DonH57]

I forgot to say to ensure the irrigation times are very early morning or very late evening to prevent evaporation loss thru wind and sun. I actually read that somewhere today too.

[784caroline]

Originally Posted by PaPaLarry

Irrigation water is more expensive, then regular water for house.

Diagree..not when you add in the cost of the sewer. If you use 3000 gallons of potable water you will pay 3 X $1.80(per 1000 gallon) or $5.40 (plus base fees) for water but you will also pay 3X $4.33 (/1000gal) for sewer useage (plus base) or 12.99 or a total of $18.39 for potable water and sewer.

Irrigation water for 3,000 gallons is only $1.97/1000 galons or $5.91. You pay NO sewer fee using Irrigation water.

[Yucatan2]

I live in Lake County.........we only have one water meter, so it is base plus usage.
Sewer base on my bills is $26.97. I never even noticed it before reading this thread so I checked..........does that seem high? It has been that rate for the last 6 months.

[784caroline]

Originally Posted by Yucatan2

I live in Lake County.........we only have one water meter, so it is base plus usage.
Sewer base on my bills is $26.97. I never even noticed it before reading this thread so I checked..........does that seem high? It has been that rate for the last 6 months.

How much water (000's) are you using? In sumter cty the sewer bill for 3000 gal of potable water is $24.37 per month. (Base is $12.07 and $12.30... ($4.22/thousand up to !0,000 gallons).

For 2 people you bill appears to be in line with Sumter rates/useage.

[RetiredInTV]

Our irrigation costs increased by $57.22 with the 6/11/14 bill - almost double.

I've tried several times this morning to call VCDD and always get a recording - they are experiencing unusually high call volumes and I should call back at another time. There was no option to leave a message and have them call me back.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by retiredinTV

Our irrigation costs increased by $57.22 with the 6/11/14 bill - almost double.

I've tried several times this morning to call VCDD and always get a recording - they are experiencing unusually high call volumes and I should call back at another time. There was no option to leave a message and have them call me back.

usage quantity, month to month?
checked controller for days to water?
checked controller for zone run times?

Not sure how VCDD can help.
If its a new house check with home warranty to find out who installed the irrigation system and have them come out an check things out.