question on filling a pool in garland (foreclosed, lease)

[surf2wake]

I'm trying to figure out my options of filling my pool. Just bought a foreclosed home and the pool needed some serious cleaning. I'm looking to fill it now, but City of Garland doesnt seem to want to do anything to help. They said I would be charged for the water used (which is fine) but then also be charged sewere fee's. On top of that, the guy said they take the average sewage from the months of Nov - March (?? dont remember exactly, but around that) to bill for the remainder of the year next year. He wouldnt budge on anything. Any advice?

[nsumner]

I am not sure I understand why the city has to get involved in filling up your pool other than to charge you for the water and sewer usage. But that is in your monthly payment anyway???

Did you sign up for the "average billing"? May be they are trying to find a benchmark to set up your future payments if you indeed signed for this.

[surf2wake]

i dont really think i signed up for "average billing" i didnt think that was an option. i just cant figure out why they have to average my sewage later on next year on a month that i filled up my pool.

does anyone know if you can have the fire department fill it up from a hydrant? i've heard of this in other cities..

[KBilly]

Most cities in this area use Nov-Mar water consumption to get an average monthy water usage that they then use as the basis for billing you for sewage the next whole year.

They do that to give you a break -- water usage is lowest in those months because you are not watering lawns, etc. Outside watering never enters the raw sewage treatment system via your plumbing, so you shouldn't be paying sewage (treatment) on it.

Thus, the more water you use in the winter, the higher your sewage bill will be year-round.

So, if your average monthly water usage in winter months is 6000 gal, then that's the maximum they will charge you for sewage in July, even though you may use 15,000 gal. That's why you should never fill a pool in those winter months! And be judicial with the hot tub fills. It will drive up your water consumption those 4 months, and thus drive up the max. you will pay year-round for sewage.

You can pay to have a second water meter added to your home that is for external watering, and it will not be subject to sewage billing.

[momof2dfw]

Well, you sure don't want to leave it empty in the winter or summer months. YIKES - talk about problems. If you don't want to use the city water to fill the pool you can have a company come out w/ a water truck and fill it. This is what some cities were requiring for new pools during the last two summers w/ the drought. The City of Garland actually is an "owner" city in the North Texas Muncipal Water District but they still have to pay for "x" amount of water and the "buy" it based on what the usage normally is for those months. Right now our water usage is down so a lot of extra water needed and used will cost the city more so they have to make it up somewhere. I'm taking it you may have already drained the pool? If you have not then check w/ the city about how to properly do that so that you don't get hit w/ a fine if they see you draining a ton of water down and out into the alley and to the water runoffs. If you have a contractor that is going to do the work for you find one that will take care of all neccessary permits and that could include having it filled be it city water or from another source.

Good luck and welcome to the neighborhood

[5022draw]

I have a home in Garland. I leased it for a while, then had to evict the folks who wwere in the home. They drained the pool ( they were planning on buying the home) and left it dry. Once we got them out, we have remodeled the home and moved back in. We repaired the rough areas of the pool and have repainted the pool, now we need to fill it back up. I went to a fire station and they advised Garland does not allow them to fill a pool, some cities do this with a stipulation that if the city (fire truck) needs to use the water they can at any time. Anyone have any idea how to get the pool filled back up ? Water truck ? How do contractors do this ? Do they hire a water truck to fill the pool back up ? thanks.

[MurphyPl1]

Have you considered using your hose?

[momof2dfw]

Originally Posted by 5022draw

I have a home in Garland. I leased it for a while, then had to evict the folks who wwere in the home. They drained the pool ( they were planning on buying the home) and left it dry. Once we got them out, we have remodeled the home and moved back in. We repaired the rough areas of the pool and have repainted the pool, now we need to fill it back up. I went to a fire station and they advised Garland does not allow them to fill a pool, some cities do this with a stipulation that if the city (fire truck) needs to use the water they can at any time. Anyone have any idea how to get the pool filled back up ? Water truck ? How do contractors do this ? Do they hire a water truck to fill the pool back up ? thanks.

No, the City of Garland Fire Dept does NOT fill pools at all. I don't know of a city around here that does. Maybe a small or rural area that has a volunteer fire dept would make such a deal but they would have even a hard time even reaching a water source.

People fill their pools 1 of 2 ways:
1. Backyard water hose.
2. Water fill truck. There are companies out there that do this.

This is how contractors fill the pools. The homeowner/landowner pays either way to have it filled.

[Grainraiser]

Most around here fill their pools with the hose. Our sewage bill is based on the amount of water used. If my water bill is $25 for the month my sewage and trash pick up bill for the month is $25. I am not fully understanding your problem, if you want you pool to be filled just pull out the hose and fill it. What am I missing here.

[Rakin]

In the old days the city would send out the Firemen to hook up their hoses and give you a free fill the 1st time. I think that disappeared 20 yrs ago so like the rest of us you get to pay for it.

Just don't use Evian water, that would be expensive.