HEADS UP - Rural Water Users

[LuxLiving]

Just wanted to give a heads up to those of you on rural water that might have been in the ice storm areas. We were and I just got off the phone with my rural water district office. They estimated our bill because they could not get to the water meter with all of the ice covering the roadway. You might have a similar situation.

Guess which direction they estimated? You're right...they estimated high. I phoned the office because there was nothing on the bill that stated if they'd be crediting us next month if our usage was lower. She did say that they would be issuing credits if your usage wasn't estimated correctly.

During the course of the conversation I did ask her what the average usage per person was in our area, and it's 3000 gallons per adult person per month. So, overall we with four adult folks at home aren't doing too shabbily at 5000 gallons for the house, but I still think it's too much!

Our water bills have gone way up anyway and I've been working and working on getting them lower. She did mention that when each of her sons moved away from home the bill went down by about 3000 gallons each time! Next thing I know they'll be owing me money each month - heheee!! (kidding) I told her I already feel like I can't afford to wash my hands after going to the restroom and that I can't imagine what life is like for widows and others on tighter budgets!!

I asked her for tips - she runs her own dishwasher once every other day (just two at home) and she now bathes instead of showering in a 1/2 full tub, does laundry once per week. Okay, so I'm going to cut my laundry down to doing a BIG load every two TO three days and see if I can stand it. CashHappy works in a place where he comes home smelling of grease and FrugalSon works where his clothes smell of frying-oil. UGH. Maybe I'll put the laundry tub outside on the porch!!

Anyway - be aware that if you were iced over they may estimate your bill. And they may estimate it to the HIGH side!

[scfr]

Word of Caution: If you leave frying-oil-smelling clothes on an unenclosed porch you may invite critters (racoons, etc.). My sister left a baby burping cloth (yes - soiled) out on a table when they were at a cabin and a bear came and grabbed it!

Maybe in the garage? Or, in a covered container (clean trash can with lid, etc) in the laundry room?

[Ima saver]

I am lucky if I even get my water bill. The past 4 months it either came after the due date or did not come at all. They are blaming the post office, but , 4 months in a row??

[ozzy gurl]

They've done this to my family a few times. It makes me wonder that if you didn't ask, would they have credited you?

[LuxLiving]

Don't know, but I'll be watching the next bill.

They may not have been able to get out to read the meters, but they sure made it the post office to mail out the bills!! We have our priorities you know!!

The lady in the office is very nice, but you would think that ON THE BILL it would say something about it being adjusted downward next month if you've been overcharged.

[LuxLiving]

I've been thinking about this overnight and as I walk by the mounting laundry pile (UGHH) on the way to the restroom -- thanks to all the weight loss challenge water...

...does anyone have an offhand knowledge of how many gallons one can save by having one of those 'water saving toilets'????

[tinapbeana]

Originally Posted by LuxLiving

...does anyone have an offhand knowledge of how many gallons one can save by having one of those 'water saving toilets'????

check home depot or lowes online. they likely have specs for low-flow toilets available.

[JanH]

They guesstimate a couple of our bills here. I think they do water every other month and maybe guess the gas or electric. I'm not sure. Now that they have the water on an electronic gizmo that they can point and read from the fences, they might do it every month. I think they count on it catching up on itself the next month if it is lower than they thought. But since it is per so many gallons, I imagine it might not be so accurate. I really don't know.

[shelbylovesmelby]

I've always been told in place of a low flow toilet you can add a brick(s) to your tank therefore it fills but just not as much.

My il's had a similar problem with their water bill last year. They only take baths/showers a couple times a week & wash up the rest (too afraid they'll fall in the shower/tub) & it's just the two of them & they got a water bill over $1000. So they checked their meter & admitted the meter was faulty & replaced it.