Outrageous bill from SAWS (Dallas, San Antonio: homes, utilities, living in)

[TXsurburbanmom]

Deep Forest- check your new bill. I had that same fee last month with super low water usage. This month my bill is $1.71-no I didn't forget a number. I'm wondering if they made an error last month and have adjusted for it. Of course I'm afraid to call in case they decide to add some zeros!

[Deep Forest]

Originally Posted by ddeel

Deep Forest- check your new bill. I had that same fee last month with super low water usage. This month my bill is $1.71-no I didn't forget a number. I'm wondering if they made an error last month and have adjusted for it. Of course I'm afraid to call in case they decide to add some zeros!

You're wise not to call. Your new bill may be the error.

[kayanne]

Originally Posted by burgrat

Is it possible someone was using or stealing the water between April 2-19? For example, construction or perhaps a neighbor using it?
Next to my house they are doing new construction and I made sure I had the outside faucet locked (I bought a faucet lock at Lowe's) so that it is not accessible while I'm at work, etc.
Maybe that happened to you? Good luck, I hope this gets fixed for you.

I suppose anything was possible from April 2-19. I can't prove or disprove anything, since we were in a different state during that time.

[Rustybolt]

Originally Posted by kayanne

I suppose anything was possible from April 2-19. I can't prove or disprove anything, since we were in a different state during that time.

If your sprinkler system was on during this time, your bill isn't out of line. My bill easily will hit $360 in the summer with my system on and that includes watering only within my assigned day of the week and strict compliance with the time limits. Water is expensive in San Antonio. That is why I have done more xeriscaping every year.

[kayanne]

Originally Posted by Rustybolt

If your sprinkler system was on during this time, your bill isn't out of line. My bill easily will hit $360 in the summer with my system on and that includes watering only within my assigned day of the week and strict compliance with the time limits. Water is expensive in San Antonio. That is why I have done more xeriscaping every year.

Wow, I have never dealt with water bills that high! We just moved to SA from Lake Charles, Louisiana, and I got spoiled by ridiculously low water bills there. Even with our sprinkler system, our bill rarely went over $25. During the unseasonably cold winter we just had, with temps in the low 20s on a few occasions, the sprinkler system busted a pipe and flooded the backyard. Whopping bill that month? 42 bucks!

I think I can tolerate a brown lawn more easily than I can tolerate a $300-400/month water bill!

[Deep Forest]

Originally Posted by ddeel

Deep Forest- check your new bill. I had that same fee last month with super low water usage. This month my bill is $1.71-no I didn't forget a number. I'm wondering if they made an error last month and have adjusted for it. Of course I'm afraid to call in case they decide to add some zeros!

No, it wasn't an error in the billing. They're charging me for water I COULD have used, not what I used. Can you say scam ??

[Cuero]

Originally Posted by kayanne

Wow, I have never dealt with water bills that high! We just moved to SA from Lake Charles, Louisiana, and I got spoiled by ridiculously low water bills there. Even with our sprinkler system, our bill rarely went over $25. During the unseasonably cold winter we just had, with temps in the low 20s on a few occasions, the sprinkler system busted a pipe and flooded the backyard. Whopping bill that month? 42 bucks!

I think I can tolerate a brown lawn more easily than I can tolerate a $300-400/month water bill!

Wow, you were spoiled with cheap water. Water is more scarce here and $300-400/month is the going rate to keep a modest lawn green. Yearly rate increases have already been approved and will probably go higher as population increases.

[geargrinder70]

Originally Posted by Cuero

Wow, you were spoiled with cheap water. Water is more scarce here and $300-400/month is the going rate to keep a modest lawn green. Yearly rate increases have already been approved and will probably go higher as population increases.

Sounds like you may be wasting more than you are using. My lawn is right at a quarter of an acre typical for a corner lot in my neighborhood and I water with an in ground sprinkler system front and back yard once a week and have the normal usage inside my home as anyone else and my bill has never been over $90. For $300-$400 a month I have to ask what do you call a modest lawn?

[Rustybolt]

Originally Posted by geargrinder70

Sounds like you may be wasting more than you are using. My lawn is right at a quarter of an acre typical for a corner lot in my neighborhood and I water with an in ground sprinkler system front and back yard once a week and have the normal usage inside my home as anyone else and my bill has never been over $90. For $300-$400 a month I have to ask what do you call a modest lawn?

And SAWS is your source of water? My yard is a third acre, irrigated front and back. I peak at $360 in summer, while observing the current water restrictions. God bless your broken water meter!

[geargrinder70]

Originally Posted by Rustybolt

And SAWS is your source of water? My yard is a third acre, irrigated front and back. I peak at $360 in summer, while observing the current water restrictions. God bless your broken water meter!

Yes I'm with SAWS and the meter is brand new and working. They replaced it a few months back just because it was scheduled to be changed. I've been here in this house for 14 years now and my bill has been pretty regular. I do try and conserve as much as I can. Also I read my meter every month also just to keep them honest.