Wake Forest water availability fee / Raleigh water system (Cary, Holly Springs: appointed, live)

[OmegaBaby]

Does anyone understand how the water billing works in Wake Forest? If I understand it correctly, we're now on the Raleigh water system, and we're billed by Raleigh. But for a certain period of time, we're being billed higher rates (apparently to pay for needed infrastructure improvements). Does anyone know when our water rates will be the same as Raleigh?

When I lived in Holly Springs, the water/sewer rates were clearly shown on the bills and on their website. Now that I'm in Wake Forest, I can't figure out what I'm being charged. (I'm disappointed with the Wake Forest web site...it's very hard to use compared to the websites of Holly Springs and Cary). I heard from an irrigation installer that sewer is charged at about twice the rate of water. So installing an irrigation system makes a lot of sense, since you're only paying about 1/3 the price for the same amount of water. But I haven't been able to verify this.

Also, since July 1, all new irrigation systems on the Raleigh water system require a separate meter, which costs about $800. However, Wake Forest has an additional 'water availability fee' of around $1600 for each meter. So an irrigation system here costs $2400 before you even put a single sprinkler in the ground. As far as I know, Raleigh doesn't have this availability fee. So I'm wondering if the fee will go away once we're billed at the same rate as Raleigh? Does anyone know? And why am I even paying a water availability fee to Wake Forest if I'm getting my water from Raleigh?

[saturnfan]

In my Raleigh bill, water and sewer run about equal. I'm billed by Raleigh.

[leighbhe]

Originally Posted by jbognar

Does anyone understand how the water billing works in Wake Forest? If I understand it correctly, we're now on the Raleigh water system, and we're billed by Raleigh. But for a certain period of time, we're being billed higher rates (apparently to pay for needed infrastructure improvements). Does anyone know when our water rates will be the same as Raleigh?

When I lived in Holly Springs, the water/sewer rates were clearly shown on the bills and on their website. Now that I'm in Wake Forest, I can't figure out what I'm being charged. (I'm disappointed with the Wake Forest web site...it's very hard to use compared to the websites of Holly Springs and Cary). I heard from an irrigation installer that sewer is charged at about twice the rate of water. So installing an irrigation system makes a lot of sense, since you're only paying about 1/3 the price for the same amount of water. But I haven't been able to verify this.

Also, since July 1, all new irrigation systems on the Raleigh water system require a separate meter, which costs about $800. However, Wake Forest has an additional 'water availability fee' of around $1600 for each meter. So an irrigation system here costs $2400 before you even put a single sprinkler in the ground. As far as I know, Raleigh doesn't have this availability fee. So I'm wondering if the fee will go away once we're billed at the same rate as Raleigh? Does anyone know? And why am I even paying a water availability fee to Wake Forest if I'm getting my water from Raleigh?

Although I don't have an answer for you, my sister has had the same issues. She is within the town of wake forest (we are not) and it has been confusing to say the least regarding the "switch over" to raleigh. She called the town and that helped answer some of her questions. I have found contacting the town with questions is much easier than getting on the website, which is good for some information, but is not updated regularly, etc.

Good luck
Leigh