First water bill, is this normal?
Posted by cashkleest@reddit | plano | View on Reddit | 30 comments
Just got first water bill an $317 seems like a lot but there is $100 deposit and $20 activation fee making it really $197 for the month but still seems a bit high. I have a pool which I added water once and also sprinklers that run 2x a week and a foundation drip line.
I also checked the water meter and didn't notice it moving at all so I don't think I have a leak.
Snobolski@reddit
If that's the case it sounds about right.
Vast_Hyena2443@reddit
Have a GOOD licensed irrigator come at least once a year to give your sprinklers a checkup, as your sprinklers may be running too long. Just because the controllers is only set for 2x/week, it have numerous start times & could be dialed back a bit. I have had several rain days where my smart controller has delayed watering becuase of rain, & a rain sensor would stop it from watering when rain is detected too. If you ever have a smart controller or rain/freeze sensor installed, you can get a $75 rebate from the city if installed by a licensed irrigator (or $50 if you DIY), available here (along with 2 other rebates) https://www.plano.gov/1816/Water-Conservation-Rebates
A good irrigation company can also sometimes find leaks that need to be repaired, causing high water bills. Do you have an auto pool fill? That may be set for too much time, as well. The irrigator/irrigation tech should be able to check that out too, or have a good pool service tech check that out, too. I've been a licensed irrigator since 2007, and have several good licensed irrigation contractors (and pool contractors for service) I can refer you to if want. I think your bill is a little high because of the service deposit & connect fee. Have a great day!
cashkleest@reddit (OP)
Wow thanks for this lots of good insight, feel free to PM me any recommendations for controller/specialists in the area. I’ll definitely have the rain/freeze sensor installed
Vast_Hyena2443@reddit
You bet, will do. The sensor is always good to have, and also a requirement for a new sprinkler system install, but I'd first recommend a new smart controller, esp if you have an older system, as the smart controllers will suspend watering when it predicts rain in the future, & the sensors stop and suspend the watering AS the rain (or cold weather) is at your property, but you can certainly start with a new sensor. The rebate is good for a new smart controller OR a new sensor.
FabulousBullfrog9610@reddit
you know the "texas is great because no income tax"? Well you pay in other ways.
earthworm_fan@reddit
Buddy you pay for water everywhere
one_is_enough@reddit
This may shock you, but prices for things are different everywhere.
earthworm_fan@reddit
I've lived in 8 different states. I assure you that water treatment is expensive everywhere. Especially when you add trash and sewer together, which is what OP's bill is doing
one_is_enough@reddit
Yeah, you’re right. Prices are exactly the same in every state.
THAWED21@reddit
West Virginia is shocking. I'm guessing it's the pumping infrastructure to move water to the hollers?
cashkleest@reddit (OP)
I guess so 😭
THAWED21@reddit
Well shit, son, you're lower than I am and I have a sprinkler that runs once a week and no pool or foundation drip. I'd say you're doing great.
H0lyH4ndGr3nade@reddit
10k gallons does feel a little high, but I don't have a pool so hard to know how much that adds. How many people are living in the house?
You shouldn't need to be running your sprinklers or foundation drip right now though. We've been getting plenty of rain the past few weeks.
cashkleest@reddit (OP)
Only two people living in the house. My gas is super green. Maybe I can ton down the sprinklers a bit
Delicious_Hand527@reddit
You don't need to run your sprinklers in May at all. Turn that thing off until it's been at least 2 weeks without rain. Mid June late June is the start of sprinkler season. It has rained close to 6 inches in May so far. June July August September are the big sprinkler months. the rest of the year you can run like once a month at most.
sfa1500@reddit
Its 100% your sprinklers. Run a check and make sure you don't have any broken heads or pipes. And then definitely turn down the time per each zone.
earthworm_fan@reddit
Your water bill is also sewage and trash.
heinzenfeinzen@reddit
You can get water usage stats for your account on the city's water website -- it shows hourly at 0.1 accuracy. You can also get a bar chart of daily usage -- my bet is there is a big spike 2 days a week with large water usage.
nimjaa@reddit
Our first bill was expensive too. It was around $250 because setup fees. We don’t have a pool and it’s just my husband and me. Our subsequent bills are $100+ less.
cashkleest@reddit (OP)
Got it thanks
Cherrybomb678@reddit
When I lived in Plano, the average during the summer was between 100-130 with no pool and we water 2 times a week. So if you do have a pool or does sound plausible but I would keep an eye out for leaks if it does go higher.
cashkleest@reddit (OP)
I’m assuming this is with trash and sewer?
OSUBonanza@reddit
My winter bill is now about $120. Haven't turned the sprinklers on yet and ut was $130 for April.
scooteristi@reddit
Read your bill $120 is initiation fees.
mechasquare@reddit
100% my water bill is the most expensive utility.
eframepilot@reddit
Even with no sprinklers and fairly low usage ours is regularly a little over $120. I think that’s close to the minimum possible bill.
oakleafwellness@reddit
For context we had a pipe bust after a freeze with a leak and the bill was almost $900. This was also about nine years ago, when the rates were slightly cheaper.
$197 sounds like a normal bill to me.
Visual_Scientist_298@reddit
Likely yes. How long are you running the sprinklers for? Last month ours was $187, I have turned our sprinklers way down on length they are running since.
arcanition@reddit
This looks normal to me for Plano.
Our water (and sewer/etc) bill for a small house without a pool is usually about $100 (give or take $20). Our average usage is around the 6600 gallon mark per month.
So with your usage of 10,476 gallons, around $150 (without the one-time fees) is pretty normal, yeah.
picircle@reddit
Welcome to the Texas home ownership club