Water bill
When you get your water bill each month, you’re probably hit with a flood of questions. The first one being: why is my bill so darn high?
We’re going to take a few to explain your bill to you and then offer a few tips on how to lower it so you’re no longer drowning in utility bills.
THE BREAKDOWN
Your water bill typically contains two big items: the amount of water you use (your consumption) and charges for the amount of water that they have to treat in turn (sewage). Since most homes only contain a meter for consumption, your sewer charges will be based on the amount of water you used or a flat rate. On top of these charges, your local city or municipality may also tack on additional fees for things like habitat restoration.
Your water bill will show the most current and previous meter readings, which is how your consumption is calculated. The most common ways billing rates work are uniform or increasing block rate. Uniform is when you are charged a set amount of money per unit based on your consumption. Increasing block rate is when the amount charged increases as more water is consumed, which is intended to encourage homeowners to reduce usage. Most utilities also have a minimum, so if you are away from your home for an extended period of time and consume no water, you will still receive a bill.
Many utility companies provide a usage history on your bill or online account so you can compare how much water you are using in comparison to previous months or years. This can be helpful to see patterns, such as that your usage typically increases in the warmer months as you water your lawn. If you notice a sudden spike in usage, but no obvious cause then it could indicate that you have a leak and should investigate further.
Not all homeowners will receive a water bill. If you have a well at your home, for example, and aren’t connected to municipal water then you only need to pay for the power to operate your well. Utilities, such as water use, are often included as part of the fees condo owners pay.
BILLS BILLS BILLS
The average usage in the US is 88 gallons of water per day per person in a household. So a family of four would use around 10,500 gallons of water in a single month! That’s a lot! Hopefully, this number is helpful for you to see. How is your family doing in comparison?
Whether you’re a water-saving expert or just getting started, we have some ideas that will helpfully hope lower your bills. Let’s save you some money!
CLEAN START
While there are few things more refreshing than a nice warm shower, are you a lingerer? If so, your steamy showers can really add up. While it doesn’t feel like a ton of time, spending an extra four minutes in the shower a day can use more than 4,000 unnecessary gallons of water a year adding $100 or more to your water bill annually. Multiply that by a family of four and it can really add up!
In addition to taking speedier showers, installing a low-flow showerhead can reduce the amount of water that you use by 50%. If you used one a few years ago and felt like you could barely get the shampoo out of your hair, it might be time to give it another shot. Technology has improved in recent years. You may even be able to get one for free or at a discounted rate through your local utility company.
Use the search term “free low flow shower head + your state name” to see if yours does.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Running your dishwasher instead of handwashing will use about 1/6 of the water. To get the most bang for your water buck, scrape food waste from your dishes into the trash instead of rinsing. And make sure to only run your dishwasher when it’s completely full.
One other easy way to save water in the kitchen is to adjust how you rinse your produce. Instead of cleaning under running water, place fruits and vegetables in a large bowl or stockpot. Fill with clean water and then rub the fruits and vegetables under the water to remove dirt and contaminants. Pour off the used water into another container and use it to water your house plants. Refill with fresh water to give produce a final rinse. Lay fruits and vegetables on a clean kitchen towel and allow to dry out completely.
FIX A LEAK
Is the tip tip tap of your leaky bathroom faucet keeping you up at night? Even if the sound doesn’t bother you, then the cost should. A single drip per second from one leaky faucet in your home could lead to 2,082 gallons of water per year! Most of the time a repair is a simple DIY fix with the help of a cheap kit from the hardware store.
A toilet leak is money just going down the drain. While water on your floor can be an obvious sign of a leak, you may not even be aware that you have one. Here’s how to check for a hidden toilet leak.
TAKE A YARD
In some areas of the country, outdoor water use at home can reach up to 60% of all home water use. Not only is this a serious environmental concern, but it’s a serious drain on your wallet! Being mindful of your lawn can help you save serious cash.
Reducing the amount of area of your yard that has plants in it can seriously lower your water consumption as well as your time spent on maintenance. Instead, create an outdoor living space by installing a seating or dining area in your backyard. Using porous materials — such as gravel, pebble, or permeable pavers — allows you to have a nice-looking space without creating storm runoff. These building materials are typically lower maintenance than other options.
As you update your home’s landscaping, choose native plans to reduce your water usage. These plants usually require minimal care and watering after they’re established, which is a win-win. Space your plantings tightly to not only give the space visual appeal but also to help shade the soil.
If you have plants that need to be watered, consider drip irrigation. This directly delivers water to the root zone and eliminates water loss through evaporation and runoff. While you’re at it, mulch the area around plants to retain moisture. Group plantings by water need so that you don’t overwater your drought-tolerant ones.
Lastly, mow grass high as it encourages the roots to sink deeper and require less watering. Keep your mower blades sharpened to allow you to cut the grass cleanly, which creates less water loss.
MAKE A SPLASH
Nice job making it to the end of this 5 Minute Friday! You might feel a bit overwhelmed by this tsunami of water-saving ideas, so it’s a good idea to just pick one and get started.
Have major issues or don’t have the time to look into it? We can help!