How much is your water bill? (Seattle, Vancouver: apartments, big house, tenants)

[friggsdottir]

I am moving in from out of state and most apartments I'm seeing require you to pay your own metered water bill (which includes trash service). How much does this usually run? We will be 1 adult and 2 kids with no lawn care or anything like that. I'm trying to budget accordingly and any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks!

[mkcurran]

Originally Posted by friggsdottir

I am moving in from out of state and most apartments I'm seeing require you to pay your own metered water bill (which includes trash service). How much does this usually run? We will be 1 adult and 2 kids with no lawn care or anything like that. I'm trying to budget accordingly and any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks!

What city? I have a 0 water bill, but it did cost me a little bit to put in a well.

[marita]

For me water $15 a month which includes Lot's of showers,washing clothes and vehicles.
Garbage $20 a month which includes a recycling can and picked up weekly.Price also depends on the size of can.
All are billed every 2 months.
Prices vary depending on which county and what city.Even within one area you have different water companies and different trash pickup companies.
Paying for water in an apartment setup doesn't sound right.Also apartments have dumpsters.

[jinj]

Some cities charge almost a $100 per month even if you don't use it, they use the water bill to charge for other city services.

[Hemlock140]

You really need to tell us where you want to live, it varies greatly. Mine runs about $35 a month for a big house with 3 people and lawn on the eastside, but in Seattle the average city bill is about $88/month for water and sewer.
In apartments, if the owner pays the city bill and has metered the apartments individually, he can charge whatever he wants, and
some do. Others will divide the city bill among the tenants every month
and if some residents use more water than others you pay for it. There are even companies that handle utility billing for landlords for a fee which is added to your bill.

[friggsdottir]

Thanks for the responses. I'm looking to relocate to the Vancouver area. I really don't like the fact that so many apartments in that area do not include water/garbage with the rent. I've never seen that anywhere else before.