[thevillages2013]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

It has absolutely nothing to do with how dry the months are, the irrigation system is on a timer and we don’t have a rain sensor in our system. The irrigation runs the same amount every week regardless, every Sunday and Wednesday night starting at 2 A.M. Our irrigation water usage is always constant throughout the year, and I realize that north of 466 the irrigation uses potable water (which I like because I don’t have to worry about stray irrigation water going into our pool). My problem is that our bill shows much higher water usage, and associated sewer charges, when we are not there and our water is turned off (the irrigation is on a bypass from the valve that shuts off water from the house and hose bib). When we are there, the water to the house is obviously turned on and we use significantly more water, yet our bills indicate lower water usage and sewer charges. So when we aren’t there, the water is off, and we are using much less water and not putting anything in the sewer, yet our bills are higher? Reconcile that!

Sounds like you are getting screwed! It would also be a good idea to install a rain sensor because it is really silly to be paying to water the yard and paying sewer on that water when you don’t need to be watering at all. My irrigation stays off almost the whole Summer and here lately it definitely hasn’t been needed

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by thevillages2013

Sounds like you are getting screwed! It would also be a good idea to install a rain sensor because it is really silly to be paying to water the yard and paying sewer on that water when you don’t need to be watering at all. My irrigation stays off almost the whole Summer and here lately it definitely hasn’t been needed

Good advice on the rain sensor, especially since using unnecessary irrigation is very expensive. The water charge is minimal, but the sewer usage charge is outrageous, especially considering the water never goes into the sewer system. On another note, I spoke today with a representative of the utilities division and he went over my bills and agreed it does not make any sense. They are sending out someone to see what’s wrong with the meter.

[thevillages2013]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

Good advice on the rain sensor, especially since using unnecessary irrigation is very expensive. The water charge is minimal, but the sewer usage charge is outrageous, especially considering the water never goes into the sewer system. On another note, I spoke today with a representative of the utilities division and he went over my bills and agreed it does not make any sense. They are sending out someone to see what’s wrong with the meter.

Good deal. Hope you get a beneficial resolution

[Luggage]

That you have water to use in your house through a great system that recycles and reuses much of what we get from the sky and from the sewage. Be glad that the rates are as low as they are because they certainly can be much higher when you compare the places like California where you're not allowed to use wanted to fill pools in many years. Be glad that you can water your lawns and can take long showers and be glad that it's so low compared to many other cities in Florida as well. PS back North many cities simply have a higher tax on real estate and pay for the sewage facilities that way then actually tax your water usage which is really much fairer. You should however be asking the water authority here how much commercial properties pay for their usage and sewage compared to homeowners

[bdw08]

Originally Posted by MSchad

They are not “designed” to screw part time residents. You choose to be here part time. Does the formula used for your rates back home change when you are here?

No, the formula up north doesn’t change when we are here. That’s the price you pay when you have another home.

[OhioBuckeye]

I’m making an amateur explanation here so here goes. I’m guessing our sewers were put in 20 yrs. ago or longer & maybe 20,000 residents, now with 120,000+ residents there’s probably 10 to 20 times more sewage & a lot more to process & more employees! As TV keeps growing your sewage bill will probably keep growing, maybe double. Just like garbage pickup, amenities, water, ect. ect. Anything that keeps getting bigger always cost somebody more money!

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by OhioBuckeye

I’m making an amateur explanation here so here goes. I’m guessing our sewers were put in 20 yrs. ago or longer & maybe 20,000 residents, now with 120,000+ residents there’s probably 10 to 20 times more sewage & a lot more to process & more employees! As TV keeps growing your sewage bill will probably keep growing, maybe double. Just like garbage pickup, amenities, water, ect. ect. Anything that keeps getting bigger always cost somebody more money!

Don't all those new residents also pay sewer fees? And garbage pick up fees?

Why should it cost individuals more if more people are paying?

[Dlbonivich]

I guess it is a matter of prospective. They are cheap in comparison to where I come from.

[debem1@aol.com]

Truly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[wlasowicz]

My sewer rate here in western ny is a flat fee is charged in my town county tax bill. 2nd no matter how much drinking I use even filling the swimming pool ( easy 5000 to 10000 gal a season) my water usage does not go against my sewer bill like in The Villages. The point I am trying to make is you pay to get rid of it and for those who irrigate their lawns you are they them again to get that treated non potable water back. When they water the golf courses the public green spaces your paying for thru CDD fees. I know ones that have swimming pools are not happy that they have to pay for the water for their pool but then also have to pay the same usage on the sewer end even though that water never went into the sewer

[thevillages2013]

Originally Posted by JMintzer

Don't all those new residents also pay sewer fees? And garbage pick up fees?

Why should it cost individuals more if more people are paying?

Yepperooski

[Janet1946]

I wouldn’t be surprised if there is a separate (lower)rate for those that use lots of water (mostly commercial facilities). That would explain why your bill in the winter decreases even though you use a lot more water.

[OhioBuckeye]

I hear what you’re saying but the bigger TV gets the longer & more sewage there is & the longer the employees have to work & I don’t think they’ll work longer hrs. for the same pay or TV have to hire more people & they have to be paid too so that higher sewage rates. Oh I understand what your saying about more residents so more money coming in so yes you would think more money would cover it. But you still have more sewage because there’s more residents. I agree with what your saying & I see your reasoning but it’s more work. Think about N.Y. with millions of people, why is it so expensive to live there, I don’t know how those poor people make ends meet! I think the same way if there’s more people you would think that would cover the extra expense!

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Janet1946

I wouldn’t be surprised if there is a separate (lower)rate for those that use lots of water (mostly commercial facilities). That would explain why your bill in the winter decreases even though you use a lot more water.

Actually, the opposite is true. The more water you use, the higher the per gallon rate. Here is a link to the actual rates.

Utilities - Rate Information

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by OhioBuckeye

I hear what you’re saying but the bigger TV gets the longer & more sewage there is & the longer the employees have to work & I don’t think they’ll work longer hrs. for the same pay or TV have to hire more people & they have to be paid too so that higher sewage rates. Oh I understand what your saying about more residents so more money coming in so yes you would think more money would cover it. But you still have more sewage because there’s more residents. I agree with what your saying & I see your reasoning but it’s more work. Think about N.Y. with millions of people, why is it so expensive to live there, I don’t know how those poor people make ends meet! I think the same way if there’s more people you would think that would cover the extra expense!

Why do they charge more in NY?

Because people put up with it...