Home › Forums › Open Discussion › What's Your Water Bill?
- This topic is empty.
-
AuthorPosts
-
February 7, 2014 at 6:47 pm #610402
WSConvertMemberWe moved to West Seattle a year ago from the east coast, but were lucky enough to rent in an apartment with a set utility fee (a mere $75/month). We have now purchased a house and I am floored by our water bill. Would others mind giving me a perspective as to what an average water bill is for a family of 3?
February 7, 2014 at 7:31 pm #804143
GinaParticipanthttp://www.seattle.gov/util/MyServices/Water/WaterRates/index.htm
Remember that your bill from Seattle Utilities includes sewer, water, garbage and yardwaste. A single house with one resident using the smallest garbage can runs $250ish in February.
February 7, 2014 at 7:41 pm #804144
WSConvertMemberThanks Gina.
February 7, 2014 at 8:12 pm #804145
seaopgalParticipantDon’t have a bill to give you the exact breakdown, but looking at the payments our total Seattle Utility bill is averaging $150-160 this winter (two adults, old toilets, no dishwasher, shower flow restrictor, smallest garbage). We really try to conserve in the winter because we take a big hit in the summer when we water the garden and that gets counted for the sewer as well. (OK since we have to take care of the storm drains/ground water, but it always seems excessive.)
I’m not sure how often they actually read each and every meter, so you may be “catching up” to previous estimated bills.
February 7, 2014 at 8:12 pm #804146
KBearParticipantAlso keep in mind they bill for 2 months at a time.
February 7, 2014 at 8:13 pm #804147
CandrewB1ParticipantThe SPU bill has doubled in the last decade, but were supposed to pretend that did not happen and gladly approve their latest proposed increase and service cut.
February 7, 2014 at 8:14 pm #804148
justadumbguyParticipantAlso, keep in mind that the normal billing cycle is two months so depending on what time period your first bill covered double might be in line. (although we’re a household of 3 and our last bill covering 64 days was $244)
February 7, 2014 at 8:15 pm #804149
WSConvertMemberThanks everyone!
February 7, 2014 at 9:17 pm #804150
SmittyParticipantOur last 2-month bill was $428 for a family of four.
February 7, 2014 at 9:32 pm #804151
pattileaParticipantOur bill came the other day it was $346.14 for a family of 3. I called the water dept. They said to turn all water sources off then check to see if the meter is still running. We are going to do this over the weekend.
February 7, 2014 at 9:54 pm #804152
RamorMemberFamily of 3 in a SFR that is 15 years old.
We take a handful of showers a week, use 3 toilets that have dual-flush handles, run the dishwasher 2x a week, have a front-loading washer, and use a 32-gallon waste bin.
Our bi-monthly bill comes in around $200, give or take $10.
We ran our sprinklers for a few weeks two summers ago and saw a massive spike in our water and sewer rate. Never again.
February 7, 2014 at 11:16 pm #804153
Seattle TrashMemberOurs hovers under $200 for a family of 2, with 2 pets and a big garden. We do not water our lawn.
I find that the rates don’t change for us, even when we were gone for a month in the summer (just the every other day garden watering), I called for an explanation as to why that would be, and they couldn’t give me a straight answer despite numerous attempts, forwarded it on to the “sales advisor” and never called me back. If anyone has insight into how the maximums work for sewer, let me know!
February 7, 2014 at 11:20 pm #804154
biankatParticipantWe live in a single family home – 2 adults, 2 dogs. We use our dishwasher and washer regularly. In the summertime we water plants as needed. We also utilize the large 96-gallon yard waste container – frequently adding additional yard bags to the weekly pickup at $5 a pop. We have a large yard :|
Our average bill in 2013 was $280; 2012 was $300 (we had a toilet leak that went unnoticed for at least a cycle); 2011 was $198; 2010 was $195. I attribute the higher average these last couple years to an increase of visitor stays in the household. More dishes, more laundry.
February 7, 2014 at 11:23 pm #804155
BonnieParticipant2 adults, 2 kids 3400 square foot house. We don’t have a big yard. I looked at our bills and they include the garbage and yard waste (2nd smallest garbage and large yard waste bin). The 2 month bills averaged between $282 and $375.
Years ago we had a leaky toilet. It would run 24 hours. Well, when we got our bill it was more than double! Check for leaks!
February 7, 2014 at 11:34 pm #804156
SmittyParticipantMan, I’m checking for leaks! My bill seems way too high, especially since I am the only daily active shower person in the house!
25 CCFs that impacts water and sewer rates.
Yikes!
February 8, 2014 at 3:42 am #804157
kgdlgParticipantGet ready folks, SPU just proposed raining rates 5 percent a year over the next 5 years! And we are already the most expensive water and sewer in the whole country! Thanks Brightwater!!!
February 8, 2014 at 4:32 am #804158
LenaParticipantFor a four story house of three people, four cats, a dog and two full times businesses run from home we are about $300 every two months. I was thinking that we were high but considering that we are both home all day and one of our businesses uses water doesn’t seem too bad.
February 8, 2014 at 10:31 pm #804159
beefParticipantThe big spike over the last few years has been in sewer – specifically to pay for brightwater, which we won’t really need its capacity for 30 years. :( For this alone, Ron Sims should never hold elected office in the Puget Sound region again.
also remember, your average winter water usage (dec-april i think) is what they use to charge you for sewer in the summer months to account for watering of lawns/gardens; so you don;t pay the sewer charge for these activities.
February 8, 2014 at 11:14 pm #804160
BonnieParticipantWe just got our latest bill in the mail. $340. This is for consumption of 11220 gallons, up from 8976 for the same period last year. So now I need to figure out why we are using so much more.
February 9, 2014 at 12:23 am #804161
timh2oMemberTo check for leaks look at your water meter when you know your not running anything and look for a small white dial on the face of the meter. It should not be moving. If it is check your toilet first. you should hear it running or put dye in the toilet tank and you will see the dye in the bowl if the tank is leaking by. If you’ve checked faucets and don’t find any leaks turn the water off at the house and check the meter again to see if the leak detector is still moving and if it is you may have a leak between the meter and your house. The leak detector on the meter is very effective at determining if a leak is present. It will pick up the smallest leak. If you don’t know were your shutoff is at the house find it or install one because you don’t want to try to figure out how to shut the water off at 3 in the morning if something bursts.
February 9, 2014 at 4:07 am #804162
thansenMemberFor us, it’s the sewer portion that seems outrageous. Flip the bill over and look at the 3 portions they are charging. It’s insane how expensive it is.
February 9, 2014 at 5:43 am #804163
kgdlgParticipantit isn’t insane when you consider that it is paying for – billions – BILLIONS in infrastructure costs. Brightwater, CSO projects (two right down at Lincoln right now) etc. etc.
I am not saying I agree with it, but these massive projects are why our bills are so high.
-
AuthorPosts
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.