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As a few other threads have discussed, *any* small leak on your side of the meter can add up to quite a bit of water flowing through. And as mentioned, to encourage water conservation and penalize those that use exorbitant amounts, most billing structures are tiered (the more you use, the more you'll pay for gallon or unit). So you're little leak pushes you closer and closer to a new tier as it goes undetected. Running toilets are huge culprits in high water bill cases...not to mention long showers.
Here's a link that says a lot of what has been said already, but still good info: Fixing Leaks Around the Home | WaterSense | US EPA (http://www.epa.gov/watersense/fixaleak/howto.htm - broken link)
And as far as landscape watering consumption being 50% of our municipal water supply usage...try closer to 70% (especially during the summer months). That's why you'll hear me tout and promote reclaimed water systems for landscape purposes. But I digress...
My water Bill is about $22 every month, summer or fall. But then I live alone and don't water anything but two trees and if I plant a new tree. Grass doesn't look great, but I have a theory, if it can't survive with the natural rainfall, then it shouldn't be planted there.
This has been avergae summer. Last summer was abnormally dry, but this summer is what I am used to seeing and others here longer than me say it's typical.
My water Bill is about $22 every month, summer or fall. But then I live alone and don't water anything but two trees and if I plant a new tree. Grass doesn't look great, but I have a theory, if it can't survive with the natural rainfall, then it shouldn't be planted there.
This has been avergae summer. Last summer was abnormally dry, but this summer is what I am used to seeing and others here longer than me say it's typical.
Absolutely (on all accounts of your post).
Native species are the way to go. I find it absurdly ridiculous that some folks find it ok to use the amount of treated potable freshwater we (as a society) do on watering plant material! Even with all the valid threats of endangering our drinking water supply! When the day comes that we turn on the faucet and noting but dust comes out, I want them all lined up and shot!
This summer has finally put us back in the normal category for climate and rainfall. We came out of one of the worst droughts on record from the summer of 2007. It's all part of the natural cycle of nature. But I'd be willing to bet that if we had an established alternative water source for irrigation use (i.e. reclaimed water), we wouldn't have had restrictions, or at least not as stringent as they were, back in 2007/08. In other words, if used our precious freshwater supply for drinking, cooking, and bathing only, we'd have been just fine.
. But I'd be willing to bet that if we had an established alternative water source for irrigation use (i.e. reclaimed water), we wouldn't have had restrictions, or at least not as stringent as they were, back in 2007/08. In other words, if used our precious freshwater supply for drinking, cooking, and bathing only, we'd have been just fine.
The Woods development tried that however there was fierce public opposition against it. People are for conservation and trying to do good for the environment except when its in their backyard (NIMBY).
Here's a buzzword: xeriscaping. Instead of mostly grass & a few schrubs/plants/trees, it's the opposite b/c they use less water. Great concept I think. You can google it for photos.
We arent out of the water woods just yet. Our irrigation system ran last night (around 2am) and the overnight water useage was 3 ccf. (1 ccf = 748 gallons, so that would be 2244 gallons) That seems way too much for one time watering the lawn. I will be checking the system both for time and for water use of each circuit to see if one circuit is using water at a much higher rate (which would signal a leak).
Great news! I didn't mention in this thread that our irrigation guy gave us a letter describing the leak and the repairs that he made (under warranty so no cost to us) and we submitted the letter to the water company, seems like quite a while ago. Today we received our water bill and it included a $250 adjustment!! (water and sewer) Very happy here!
More news on high water bills. Apparently there is a cluster of homes in Cornelius (the Peninsula) where people have gotten really high water bills. Water company says their meters are high. Something is going on here. Just a reminder that you have to keep an eye on these things and don't expect the utility to be concerned if your bill is too high!
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