Q on water bill and cutting back 10%

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-12-2004
Q on water bill and cutting back 10%
5
Thu, 10-23-2008 - 11:20pm

Hi, ladies. Well, I got the water/sewer bill and it doubled this month. GUess there was an increase due to needed sewer upgrades, pipes corroding, and of course, no rain. So, we now have to save 10%, and there is talk of rationing water next year. So far, we are only watering the plants once or twice/week, as we have planted succulents instead of grass in the yard. We have lo-flo shower/toilet fixtures, front-load washer/dryers, etc. Any other thing we could be doing?

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-25-2006
Fri, 10-24-2008 - 10:49am

You might try capturing the water that you run in the sink/shower when you are waiting to get it up to hot. My shower takes a long time to warm up and I always feel bad about all that water going down the drain but I don't have much in the way of plants to water.

The other major water saver is to turn the shower off when you lather up and wash your hair. I hate it though...brrrrr...but it does save water!

Peg

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-06-2002
Fri, 10-24-2008 - 12:59pm

Depending on your plants the dish soap could kill them. I lost more than a few in college before I figured that one out.

It is my understanding that washing dishes by hand is not as cost effective as running a full load in the dishwasher. But don't quote me on that because I don't have one.
Liza in WI
Mommy to Samantha, Travis, Eva, Isaac
Wife for 9 years

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2008
Fri, 10-24-2008 - 2:16pm

I believe there is some of device that you can buy that boost the water temp at the shower or sink on the other end of the house from the hot water heater.

Norma


"Patience is the best remedy for every trouble"- Plautus


iVillage Member
Registered: 04-03-2007
Fri, 10-24-2008 - 4:56pm
Like you my water bill has also doubled.
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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-12-2004
Fri, 10-24-2008 - 11:15pm
Hi, ladies. Thanks for your tips. I think the increase is due to the sewer, as there was a flyer regarding sewer rate increases. So, it was quite a shock when I saw $160+ bill for one month. I thought, perhaps there was a major leak, etc. Anyway, I was intrigued about the water temp booster thing, so I will go to home depot to inquire about it, as it seems we do run the water to get it warm, even tho we have a fairly new water heater, we have turned the thermostat down on it. I have cut out the sanitize feature on the dishwasher, but will try the handwashing thing for a few dishes. Peg, I like the idea of using some of the shower water for watering some of the plants, and such. THe sudsy stuff did not work too well on the outdoor plants. If you have a barrel of sorts to capture rainwater, do you have to treat it with anything?