[justjim]

Frankly, I never paid much attention to my bill until this month when I knew that it would be expensive because of watering our new landscape as recommended by my landscaper.
Irrigation:
15,620 gallons cost .........$56.78

Water Potable
2,670 gallons cost ............$15.03

Sewer Base ......15.65
2,670 gal @ 4.98 thousand....13.30
$28.95 for sewer

$17.90 trash and 146.48 Amenity charge

Total Bill. $265.14. District 10

Bottom line...water and sewer $100.76 for a month. Of course, the irrigation charge was skewed because of new trees that had to have more water because of lack of rain. "Grin and bear it"!

[Carl in Tampa]

Water in Florida is expensive because, contrary to what you may believe, Florida is often a drought environment. An examination of weather records since 1900 reveals that in every decade there has been at least one severe and widespread drought somewhere within Florida. Droughts that began in 1906, 1927, 1945, 1950, 1955, 1961, 1968, 1980, 1984, 1998, and 2006 were the most severe.

It is ironic that the various Florida Water Management Districts were created to control flood waters, but now have a primary concern of water conservation. The concerns include both the underground Florida Aquifer and surface water such as lakes and rivers. Deficits in the Florida Aquifer sometimes manifest themselves as "sinkholes." The Management Districts are very concerned with providing for clean surface water.

Complicating factors include the source of potable water by large cities. Tampa uses both surface water from the Hillsborough River and some water from water wells. St. Petersburg has no potable surface water source, nor does it have any significant source from wells in its own county. It pumps water from leased wells located in Hillsborough County.

In times of severe drought, the Water Management Districts have the legal authority to ration water used for lawn irrigation and/or filling swimming pools. They can also direct that lawns may not be irrigated in order to provide irrigation water for Florida agriculture.

Back around 1990, I served a term as an appointed representative on the Southwest Florida Water Management District, which includes most, if not all, of The Villages area. Major accomplishments during my term included the clean up and flow improvement of a feeder to Tampa Bay called Sweetwater Creek, and a clean up of Tampa Bay which brought back some species of fish that had been absent for quite some time.

I suspect the real reason for different water prices in different Community Development Districts in The Villages is because they are administered by different people who have differing views of how much money they need to fund their different infrastructures, how much they want to hold in reserve, and what future maintenance needs they foresee.

[rubicon]

Originally Posted by Carl in Tampa

Water in Florida is expensive because, contrary to what you may believe, Florida is often a drought environment. An examination of weather records since 1900 reveals that in every decade there has been at least one severe and widespread drought somewhere within Florida. Droughts that began in 1906, 1927, 1945, 1950, 1955, 1961, 1968, 1980, 1984, 1998, and 2006 were the most severe.

It is ironic that the various Florida Water Management Districts were created to control flood waters, but now have a primary concern of water conservation. The concerns include both the underground Florida Aquifer and surface water such as lakes and rivers. Deficits in the Florida Aquifer sometimes manifest themselves as "sinkholes." The Management Districts are very concerned with providing for clean surface water.

Complicating factors include the source of potable water by large cities. Tampa uses both surface water from the Hillsborough River and some water from water wells. St. Petersburg has no potable surface water source, nor does it have any significant source from wells in its own county. It pumps water from leased wells located in Hillsborough County.

In times of severe drought, the Water Management Districts have the legal authority to ration water used for lawn irrigation and/or filling swimming pools. They can also direct that lawns may not be irrigated in order to provide irrigation water for Florida agriculture.

Back around 1990, I served a term as an appointed representative on the Southwest Florida Water Management District, which includes most, if not all, of The Villages area. Major accomplishments during my term included the clean up and flow improvement of a feeder to Tampa Bay called Sweetwater Creek, and a clean up of Tampa Bay which brought back some species of fish that had been absent for quite some time.

I suspect the real reason for different water prices in different Community Development Districts in The Villages is because they are administered by different people who have differing views of how much money they need to fund their different infrastructures, how much they want to hold in reserve, and what future maintenance needs they foresee.

Carl: thank you for the information. I am especially interested in your comments concerning how CDD differ in their rating structure and on your explanation now confirming my speculation as to the reason. I need to attend my district's meetings

I spoke with a individual about 5 years ago who was in a position to know about the water supply in Florida. He claimed the acquifer held water equal to the great lakes and that the rationing etc was political war between northern and southern Florida.

What doesn't make sense to people is that if water is a scare resource( and it may well be long term) then why allow bottling plants from outside Florida to freely tap our water supply? If water is a scare resource why hasn't the impact statements made clear that further development should be prohibited?

Recall in 2012 such a proposal (mandate) was on the ballot which gave Florida residents say in future development. However realtors and developers spend zillions to defeat this bill and did.

California, Arizona over populated in water troubled areas .

I do not believe any person would intentionally want to move to an area that would experience natural resource shortages

[Bogie Shooter]

Things like this do not help the public to understand and have confidence in these Water Districts.

Political insider takes the reins at South Florida water district

| Miami Herald

[Carl in Tampa]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

Things like this do not help the public to understand and have confidence in these Water Districts.

Political insider takes the reins at South Florida water district

| Miami Herald

I doubt that this background will give you more confidence, but it should give more understanding.

Governing Board members are unpaid citizen volunteers appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Florida Senate. They generally serve four-year terms. (I was nominated to be on the Southwest Florida Board by the Chairwoman of the Hillsborough County Republican Committee.)

The Governing Board appoints the Executive Director, who directs all Water Management District activities. The Florida Senate confirms this candidate.

So, you see, it's all political. As I said, this may not give you confidence, but it should give you understanding.

Rubicon mentions political battles between North Florida and South Florida over water. Even more intense is the battle between agriculturists and environmentalists regarding the impact on the Everglades by fertilizer run off from South Florida farms into the Everglades.

Lake Okeechobee, Florida's largest lake and the second largest body of fresh water in the contiguous United States, has become so polluted that many fishermen will not eat the fish caught there, but not practice catch and release.

Why is it polluted? Because the South Florida Water Management District is pumping polluted farm water into the lake to prevent flooding in the farmlands. South Florida emergency pumping into Lake Okeechobee ends - Sun Sentinel

Anyone who is surprised that politics is involved in water supply issues has never read about how water is supplied to Los Angeles.

[outlaw]

Originally Posted by Carl in Tampa

I doubt that this background will give you more confidence, but it should give more understanding.

Governing Board members are unpaid citizen volunteers appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Florida Senate. They generally serve four-year terms. (I was nominated to be on the Southwest Florida Board by the Chairwoman of the Hillsborough County Republican Committee.)

The Governing Board appoints the Executive Director, who directs all Water Management District activities. The Florida Senate confirms this candidate.

So, you see, it's all political. As I said, this may not give you confidence, but it should give you understanding.

Rubicon mentions political battles between North Florida and South Florida over water. Even more intense is the battle between agriculturists and environmentalists regarding the impact on the Everglades by fertilizer run off from South Florida farms into the Everglades.

Lake Okeechobee, Florida's largest lake and the second largest body of fresh water in the contiguous United States, has become so polluted that many fishermen will not eat the fish caught there, but not practice catch and release.

Why is it polluted? Because the South Florida Water Management District is pumping polluted farm water into the lake to prevent flooding in the farmlands. South Florida emergency pumping into Lake Okeechobee ends - Sun Sentinel

Anyone who is surprised that politics is involved in water supply issues has never read about how water is supplied to Los Angeles.

Can you provide your assessment of the Tampa water situation and the desalinization facility's impact on water supply and cost impact to your water bill? Just curious.

[flyerguy]

Conserve water, drink wine.

[Carl in Tampa]

Originally Posted by outlaw

Can you provide your assessment of the Tampa water situation and the desalinization facility's impact on water supply and cost impact to your water bill? Just curious.

That's a tall order. The plant was supposed to cost $98 million; it actually cost $158 million. Construction began in 2001; it wasn't fully operational until six years later.

It produces expensive water. Desalinated water costs about three times the price of groundwater and twice as much as river water. The cost is not a big concern to environmentalists because the overpumping of ground water has been destroying lakes and ponds, as well as old growth cypress trees in the area of the wells providing water for Pinellas County.

Other environmentalists are concerned that the plant pumps super-salty water into Tampa Bay, which might be detrimental to marine biology.

To actually answer your question, I don't know to what extent the use of desalinated water affects my personal water bill.

It's a complex issue. You might want to read more at Once-troubled desal plant gets mixed reviews | TBO.com and The Tampa Tribune

[outlaw]

Originally Posted by Carl in Tampa

That's a tall order. The plant was supposed to cost $98 million; it actually cost $158 million. Construction began in 2001; it wasn't fully operational until six years later.

It produces expensive water. Desalinated water costs about three times the price of groundwater and twice as much as river water. The cost is not a big concern to environmentalists because the overpumping of ground water has been destroying lakes and ponds, as well as old growth cypress trees in the area of the wells providing water for Pinellas County.

Other environmentalists are concerned that the plant pumps super-salty water into Tampa Bay, which might be detrimental to marine biology.

To actually answer your question, I don't know to what extent the use of desalinated water affects my personal water bill.

It's a complex issue. You might want to read more at Once-troubled desal plant gets mixed reviews | TBO.com and The Tampa Tribune

Thanks for the info. I didn't realize the desalination process required chemicals. Also didn't think a reservoir was a viable alternative to desal in Florida.

[TNLAKEPANDA]

We pay a lot more for our water then our electricity! We are on a large corner lot so there is a lot of grass and plants to water. They should allow rock landscapes on all homes since they are concerned about water usage.

[GypsyBuddy]

Our highest water bill was $36 in the past 4 years. Could you be adding in the price of sewage and trash pick up and thinking it was all water? The utility bill is for 4 things: Water, Sewer, Sanitation collection, and the Amenity fee.

[OhioBuckeye]

I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned how far your hot water heater is from our Master Bedrooms. When I use my sink in my bathroom & I want hot water, I bet I run my water in my sink for 2 mins. or longer to get hot water & I bet I run 2 gal. of water down the drain to get my first drop on hot water. Now, can you imagine 100,000+ homes doing that & how much water is wasted. I personally think the homes here weren't very well thought out. Where I lived in Ohio, my monthly water bill in the house I lived in for 11 yrs. before moving here, the highest bill I ever got was $18. & that's when I turned my irrigation system on 3 times in one week. Other than that I never ever ran over $12. a MONTH. In The Villages defense fresh water here in Florida is hard to come by probably because the soil is so sandy & they can't get to the fresh water or it dries up so quickly. I only pay as an average $80. a month for water, that's pretty good compared to what I've been reading here.

[OhioBuckeye]

Originally Posted by justjim

Frankly, I never paid much attention to my bill until this month when I knew that it would be expensive because of watering our new landscape as recommended by my landscaper.
Irrigation:
15,620 gallons cost .........$56.78

Water Potable
2,670 gallons cost ............$15.03

Sewer Base ......15.65
2,670 gal @ 4.98 thousand....13.30
$28.95 for sewer

$17.90 trash and 146.48 Amenity charge

Total Bill. $265.14. District 10

Bottom line...water and sewer $100.76 for a month. Of course, the irrigation charge was skewed because of new trees that had to have more water because of lack of rain. "Grin and bear it"!

I agree, "Grin & Bear it"! The Villages won't change a thing. I'm sure in the back of their minds they probably think, MOVE. I don't think The Villages have ever changed one thing because of these articles.

[graciegirl]

///

[photo1902]

Originally Posted by OhioBuckeye

I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned how far your hot water heater is from our Master Bedrooms. When I use my sink in my bathroom & I want hot water, I bet I run my water in my sink for 2 mins. or longer to get hot water & I bet I run 2 gal. of water down the drain to get my first drop on hot water. Now, can you imagine 100,000+ homes doing that & how much water is wasted. I personally think the homes here weren't very well thought out. Where I lived in Ohio, my monthly water bill in the house I lived in for 11 yrs. before moving here, the highest bill I ever got was $18. & that's when I turned my irrigation system on 3 times in one week. Other than that I never ever ran over $12. a MONTH. In The Villages defense fresh water here in Florida is hard to come by probably because the soil is so sandy & they can't get to the fresh water or it dries up so quickly. I only pay as an average $80. a month for water, that's pretty good compared to what I've been reading here.

Regarding the hot water heater distance, it depends on the model of your house. Our MB is extremely close to our hot water heater. The kitchen sink, well, thats another story