Water Bill Bummer

MC · 01-20-2007, 05:13 PM

I am trying to cut our water bill down--though I think I'm doing all I can for this time of year. Dh put the kabosh on my "recycling" of the laundry rinse water to wash the next load. Anyways...I got our water bill and it's exactly the same as it was for last month!

I'm kind of bummed, but at least it didn't go up!! Though I really don't think the water/sewer is the killer--it's all the "capital improvement" charges we're being socked with!

**FrugalMomof3** · 01-20-2007, 05:16 PM

I know what you mean, we cut down on washing our laundry and using the dishwasher and we got our bill today in the mail and like you it was the same as last month.

Here's hoping next month will be better for the both of us.

**miss_thrifty** · 01-21-2007, 05:20 AM

sorry to here that it didint help. Im going to try to get the elc. bill down to $80 over the next 2 months and try to keep it there. Thats means less t.v. and more rescheduling on all appliances, for everyday use.

**banana** · 01-21-2007, 11:06 AM

I know what you mean......no matter what I do that is one bill I just cant seem to get lowered to where I want it to be.

**bumplett** · 01-21-2007, 01:01 PM

what are "capital improvement" charges ??

I'm sorry your dh didn't like the idea of recycling water - what about the idea of a bucket in the shower with you, collecting *clean* water that would otherwise go down the drain? You can use that in the wash - and it shouldn't freak him out -

My dad has city sewer charges also - and it basically makes his bill double - the summer is the worst when he waters the lawn/flowers - as the city still considers this water usage towards the sewage bill!

We have a septic tank - so my usual water bill is $20ish - but I did find that recycling bath/shower water really does help!

good luck!!

MC · 01-22-2007, 10:44 AM

"Capital improvements" are improvements made that everyone in town gets charged for. In this case, the city re-did water and sewer lines last year, and there was something before we moved in that we're being charged for(something in another part of town). I know these things had to be done...but it irks me that even if we could go off-grid with the water service, we'd still owe the city $60 a month!!

I do collect water from the shower/tub in a bucket. I use it for rinsing the dishes or filling the fish tank, etc. He doesn't mind in the summer when I attach a hose to the drain hose and use the rinse water to water the veggie garden, and that helps a lot!! Teeheee--he's usually not home when I do the laundry, so I may just sneak it in, anyway

**MOMMYDEAREST** · 01-22-2007, 11:02 AM

wow i've never heard of re-using water. i personally wouldn't do it, but whatever works for your family. my water bill is about $60.00 a month, & i'm ok with that.

MC · 01-22-2007, 11:11 AM

Mommydearest--a few years ago, I wouldn't reuse water, either. Then I helped a friend do her laundry in a wringer washer, where you start with the cleanest and work towards the dirtiest clothes and reuse the water as often as possible. I figured if it worked for her, I could use the same idea in my "regular" machine. As far as the garden goes--the soap actually works as a mild insecticide, so I get a "2-fer" on the savings there. The water saved in a bucket is the clean water that runs while waiting for it to heat up for a shower.

Lol--I'm working on the title of "Her Royal Cheapness"!! I have to pay for that water and will milk it for all it's worth!

**MarshHen** · 01-27-2007, 06:20 PM

When we built this house, we had the plumber run the line for the washer out the back of the house (instead of running it to the septic tank) so we could collect the water into a big barrel for watering our vegetable gardens, flowers and trees. We also collect rain water for watering purposes. We have our own well so we don't have a water bill, but saving this used and free water sure helps save on our electric bill during the hot summer months when we have to water almost every day. Growing up in Florida, we had a old house that had a sistrin (sp?) or tank built in the back yard where rain water was collected for outdoor water use. Besides, the plants love it and it does help keep the insects at bay. I also save all of my vegetable scraps, egg shells, coffee gounds and tea bags for compost.