water rates are going up

**Suzy** · 06-12-2008, 10:07 AM

We have been trying to cut back on our water usage. Well, we have did pretty well. Our water bill has went down by $30. We got a letter in the mail yeterday from our Water District. Starting in July the rates will increase $3.00 for every 1000 gallons. On our last bill we used 25270 gallons. (7 people, 1 garden, 2 goats, ????chickens, 4 dogs) We are getting a rain barrel for our garden. DH is thinking about going to well water. I only wash clothes and dishes (dishwasher) when I have a full load. I turn the water off when I am brushing my teeth. Still can't get the kids to do that. What do we do now?

**Russ** · 06-12-2008, 10:16 AM

Originally Posted by Suzy

. DH is thinking about going to well water.

If you need to have one dug I think you will be surprised on your ROI. Getting one dug, depending on the depth needed, can be expensive.

**Russ** · 06-12-2008, 10:18 AM

On our last bill we used 25270 gallons.

Does this seem high to anyone else?

**Russ** · 06-12-2008, 12:44 PM

Fill a jug & put in the toilet tank...toilet will use less water for flushing purposes

That was posted by Mombottoo in another thread and I think it is excellent advice.

Back in the day when we were told to conserve water there was a saying...
"If it's brown flush it down, if it's yellow let it mellow."

another thread to look at [ame="http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/showthread.php?p=921739#post921739"]Pay for water? - Page 2 - Frugal Village Forums[/ame]

**nuisance26** · 06-12-2008, 01:24 PM

~My FIL has always had his family shower with a plug in the drain so he could pump out the gray water for use in his gardens. I wouldn't want to do that but it's an option. You might try leaving some pots and pans under all your faucets tonight and see if any of them are dripping without your knowing it. ALOT of water can be wasted this way. We have a drippy tub and I can fill a 2 gallon bucket in 24 hours. That's my garden water.~

**Ebbie** · 06-12-2008, 02:38 PM

Just trying to do the math...

25000 gallons....is that for just one month? I'm billed every 3 months for water, hence my question for clarification. At $3 for every 1000 gallons, that's a $75 increase in your bill, over and above whatever you are currently paying. That seems like a huge increase to me, what percentage of your current bill is that?

I don't know how they can make such a huge increase, but it is what it is. There's a couple of threads on here on saving water, but if would help to know how you are currently using your water. (ie. are people showering with lowflow showerhead, or are they taking baths? that kind of thing).

**baxjul** · 06-12-2008, 02:40 PM

We use 15,000 gallons, that includes watering the lawn.

**MomToTwoBoys** · 06-14-2008, 11:55 PM

Our family of four uses water pretty often. I shower every day, DH takes one every other day and we bathe the kids when they're really super dirty (usually once a week because they're both young). I do dishes every day and laundry every 2-3 days now. Last month, we used 31 cubic metres of water and that equals out to 8,189.33 gallons. That was even up from the previous month and I used water to do some gardening last month. We've gotten so much rain that I haven't had to water the lawn...

Your family is pretty big and I'm not sure if I have any suggestions that'll help. What about taking your laundry to a laundromat and using the washers there...would the money you save in water end up just getting sucked into their machines anyways? The jug of water in the toilets is a good idea (or even a brick) and I'd suggest some low-flow toilets. I've gone as far as bathing both kids in the same water (I do the youngest first since he won't pee in the water

) and I'll use a washcloth on them to wash under their arms/in the cracks of their groin/cleaning their feet to save water sometimes. I'll turn on the water fast enough to wet my brush once through, then I'll turn it back on again to rinse it out real fast. I shortened my showers and totally cut out the extra bath. I also wash all my clothes in full loads to cut down on water overuse.

**Russ** · 06-18-2008, 10:10 AM

Came across a good article that includes tips...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25218050/

**Russ** · 07-08-2008, 09:02 AM

Suzy, were you able to cut your water usage this month?

**halloweenfreak** · 07-08-2008, 02:06 PM

our water bill went up too. not for the water usage, but for gas money to drive the inmates around checking the meters.

**Suzy** · 07-08-2008, 02:21 PM

Hi Russ,
No. In fact it went up. $128.00 is what we have to pay. DH checked for leaks, Found none. He does have a meter that he can install on the line to check our usage. With his work schedule he just haven't found the time to do it yet. We are going on vacation next week. So with no water usage except for the garden, which he has set on a timer, we shall see what it is.

**Russ** · 07-08-2008, 02:24 PM

Did you put bricks in the toilet tanks? That would help a lot I imagine due to your family size.

**Suzy** · 07-08-2008, 02:50 PM

Hi Russ,
No, I forgot to mention that to him. I am writing myself a note right now to tell him that tonight. Thanks for the reminder.

**Sonnenwende** · 07-17-2008, 02:15 PM

Wow. You use ten times the water my family uses in a month. My last bill was for 2500 gallons.

Have you considered an HE washer and dishwasher and low flow showerheads?