Limestone County Water Rates.... Seriously? (Huntsville, Madison: apartment, house, utilities)

[Rocket254]

I just bought a house west of County Line Road inside Madison City limits but also in Limestone County. I spent today running between Madison and Athens setting up utilities. I need someone to better explain the water situation and convince me I'm not about to get wrecked by water bills.

I have separate meters for the house and irrigation. Looking at the rate sheet, why does Limestone get away with charging $8 per 1,000 gallons compared to the $3.50-ish that Madison city charges. On top of that, I get hit with a $25 minimum bill on the irrigation line just regardless of whether I use the sprinklers at all.

This is quite the sticker shock for me. My bill for two people living in a Huntsville service apartment has always been around $35 a month.

[RocketDawg]

I have a separate meter in Madison, so that's a huge difference. Sounds like there's not much of an advantage in having a separate meter in Limestone.

I know nothing about Limestone's water rates other than what you've said, but Madison's water seems to be not overly priced but things are not always as they appear ... your sewer will be additive and about twice what your water bill is.

If you're in the Madison city limits, one would think that you'd have Madison water. If they don't have the infrastructure, then they shouldn't annex you into the city.

[bmrisko]

If in Madison City, your 2nd meter shouldn't have a sewer charge.

[Rocket254]

Correct. That 25 dollars is the minimum amount they will bill me for that line.

I just can't get over how Limestone is more than double the Madison city rate per 1K gallons. Surely I am missing something here

[NoleFanHSV]

Originally Posted by Rocket254

Correct. That 25 dollars is the minimum amount they will bill me for that line.

I just can't get over how Limestone is more than double the Madison city rate per 1K gallons. Surely I am missing something here

Yes. It's expensive to run utilities for so few people.

[Rocket254]

Originally Posted by NoleFanHSV

Yes. It's expensive to run utilities for so few people.

Why was the Madison city infastructure not extended into the annexed land?

[NoleFanHSV]

Originally Posted by Rocket254

Why was the Madison city infastructure not extended into the annexed land?

Good question.

[HB2HSV]

Originally Posted by Rocket254

Why was the Madison city infastructure not extended into the annexed land?

Are you sure you can not use Madison City H2O for irrigation? When I had my house built, I was told I could add a 2nd meter for irrigation. It would be on the same water source (Madison). The only reason I did not do it because they wanted almost $1,000 for the 2nd meter.

[Rocket254]

Originally Posted by HB2HSV

Are you sure you can not use Madison City H2O for irrigation? When I had my house built, I was told I could add a 2nd meter for irrigation. It would be on the same water source (Madison). The only reason I did not do it because they wanted almost $1,000 for the 2nd meter.

Are you on the limestone side of Madison city?

I don't understand the city's role here at all. Apparently, I pay limestone for wastewater on "behalf of Madison utilities" and even had to go for the MU office to register with them and pay a deposit. Does this mean I am getting water from Limestone but I'm dumping that water into the Madison city sewer system?

[LCTMadison]

Originally Posted by HB2HSV

Are you sure you can not use Madison City H2O for irrigation? When I had my house built, I was told I could add a 2nd meter for irrigation. It would be on the same water source (Madison). The only reason I did not do it because they wanted almost $1,000 for the 2nd meter.

That was a bargain, they are like $1500 now