[gap2415]

We lived way south of here is an area drought stricken every year, yet our water bill was a huge fraction of what it is here. I'm wondering why it is so much? I'm also wondering why they would consider selling wAter from here to a bottling company if there is so little that they had to charge me $130 this month for it and there are only two of us. We put some new flowers in but we have done this many times before and never seen bills like this. We just had our box checked today thinking surely our bills were in error.

[rustyp]

Originally Posted by gap2415

We lived way south of here is an area drought stricken every year, yet our water bill was a huge fraction of what it is here. I'm wondering why it is so much? I'm also wondering why they would consider selling wAter from here to a bottling company if there is so little that they had to charge me $130 this month for it and there are only two of us. We put some new flowers in but we have done this many times before and never seen bills like this. We just had our box checked today thinking surely our bills were in error.

If your water bill is $130 / month you better call someone again. Step 1 are you reading the bill right ? Step 2 is it potable or irrigation water part of the bill that's high ? How many gallons are you being billed for in each category. Post the answer and we can send you in the right direction.

[rhood]

Been here over ten years and our water bill has never gone over $16. It is a fraction of what is was in Kentucky.

[redwitch]

Irrigation water is much more expensive than the potable water. So, if you adjusted to water the new plants more frequently, your bill will be much higher. It should go down as soon as you get back to a normal schedule. As to why, my guess is because the water company can.

[outlaw]

Originally Posted by gap2415

We lived way south of here is an area drought stricken every year, yet our water bill was a huge fraction of what it is here. I'm wondering why it is so much? I'm also wondering why they would consider selling wAter from here to a bottling company if there is so little that they had to charge me $130 this month for it and there are only two of us. We put some new flowers in but we have done this many times before and never seen bills like this. We just had our box checked today thinking surely our bills were in error.

You failed to disclose the number of gallons. $130 means nothing without the associated gallons used.

[Carl in Tampa]

Originally Posted by redwitch

Irrigation water is much more expensive than the potable water. So, if you adjusted to water the new plants more frequently, your bill will be much higher. It should go down as soon as you get back to a normal schedule. As to why, my guess is because the water company can.

Just the opposite is the case here in Tampa. All of the water comes from the same water main, but potable water and irrigation water enters the property through separate meters.

Irrigation water is billed at a price of straight gallonage. Potable water costs twice as much per gallon, with the reasoning being that it goes through the house and out through the sewage lines. The additional cost is to fund maintenance of the sewage lines.

[biker1]

Much more expensive?? I am not sure which CDD you are in but for my CDD that is not true.

Base Potable Water: $8.78
0-3000 gallons of potable water: $2.07/thousand
3001 gallons and up of potable water: $4.14/thousand
5% potable water tax

Base Irrigation Water: $8.04
0-7000 gallons of irrigation water: $2.17/thousand
7001-14000 gallons of irrigation water: $3.63/thousand

Potable water cost more than irrigation water.

Originally Posted by redwitch

Irrigation water is much more expensive than the potable water. So, if you adjusted to water the new plants more frequently, your bill will be much higher. It should go down as soon as you get back to a normal schedule. As to why, my guess is because the water company can.

[goodtimesintv]

Originally Posted by rhood

Been here over ten years and our water bill has never gone over $16. It is a fraction of what is was in Kentucky.

Same here. Water is dirt cheap here. We always marvel that the cost is ridiculously low.

I think the o.p. needs to report the meter and have it checked. It could be damaged by lightning or some other problem.

This is in The Villages, right?

[rubicon]

Base Potable Water: $8.78
0-3000 gallons of potable water: $2.07/thousand
3001 gallons and up of potable water: $4.14/thousand
5% potable water tax

Base Irrigation Water: $8.04
0-7000 gallons of irrigation water: $2.17/thousand
7001-14000 gallons of irrigation water: $3.63/thousand

Potable water cost more than irrigation water.[/QUOTE]

Why does a customer pay a base rate and then a graduated amount? The graduated rate begins at 0.

there are also additional charges for maintenance/upkeep, etc

I believe water to be more expensive here than any other state in which I lived.

[Uberschaf]

One of the reasons for the expence is that all all sewage has to be pumped to the treatment plant. The expense of running the many pump stations is added to your bill per gallon potable used.

[theorem painter]

[/QUOTE]
Why does a customer pay a base rate and then a graduated amount? The graduated rate begins at 0.

there are also additional charges for maintenance/upkeep, etc

I believe water to be more expensive here than any other state in which I lived.[/QUOTE]

I thought the same thing about water being more expensive here until I looked at an old water bill from New York. The price per gallon here is less but we only paid the access fee once a year which is equal to the cost that we pay here monthly. What I don't understand is how clean drinking water can be cheaper than dirty irrigation water?

[biker1]

In my CDD, there is actually a separate sewer charge:

Sewer Base: $15.65
0-10000 gallons: $4.98/thousand gallons.

If you don't use a drop of potable water or irrigation water your monthly charge would be $32.47 based on the three base rates.

Originally Posted by Uberschaf

One of the reasons for the expence is that all all sewage has to be pumped to the treatment plant. The expense of running the many pump stations is added to your bill per gallon potable used.

[biker1]

Look at your monthly CDD bill and post the rates. In my CDD, potable water cost more than irrigation water.



[/QUOTE]Why does a customer pay a base rate and then a graduated amount? The graduated rate begins at 0.

there are also additional charges for maintenance/upkeep, etc

I believe water to be more expensive here than any other state in which I lived.[/QUOTE]

I thought the same thing about water being more expensive here until I looked at an old water bill from New York. The price per gallon here is less but we only paid the access fee once a year which is equal to the cost that we pay here monthly. What I don't understand is how clean drinking water can be cheaper than dirty irrigation water?[/QUOTE]

[ajbrown]

Originally Posted by biker1

In my CDD, there is actually a separate sewer charge:

Sewer Base: $15.65
0-10000 gallons: $4.98/thousand gallons.

If you don't use a drop of potable water or irrigation water your monthly charge would be $32.47 based on the three base rates.

My CDD:

Water
Base: $8.90
0-4000 @$1.90/gallon

Irrigation
Base: 5.97
0-7000 @ $2.07/gallon

Sewer
Base: $12.68
0-10000 @ $4.54/gallon

Even when not using any water, I see no way my water bill could ever be less than:
$27.55 = $8.90 + $5.97 + $12.68

Last month for a small designer yard I used:
3320 gal of potable, $6.31 + $15.07 (sewer)
5500 gal of irrigation, $11.39

Total: $60.32 (a bit higher than average for us)

The only comparison that has merit is what other communities in the area pay. I have no time or interest to research such a thing, but would not argue against some who posts water is expensive

[graciegirl]

It is cheaper than where we came from.