| Campbell Family | |
| Family Size |
2 |
| House | 1,600 sq./ft -- 3 bedrooms, 2 baths |
| Yard | 800 sq./ft front yard, 500 gallon pond is the back yard |
| Average Monthly Water Bill | $22.83 |
 | |
BJ Campbell thinks everyone should have a water meter. Why? "Because if you don't waste water, your bill will be much less with the meter," wrote Campbell in a letter to the editor of the Reno Gazette-Journal. "I also know other places water is cheaper, but we have to conserve here and if you don't waste the water, a meter is the only way to go."
Campbell voluntarily had a meter installed in 1998. His bill decreased from the mandatory flat rate of $49.19 to between $26 and $30 per month. All metered water bills include the cost of the water plus a $10.02 customer charge, a Regional Water Management Fee and a Right-of-Way Toll. His actual water cost per month is between $16 and $20. The remainder of the bill's charges are the other flat fees all water customers pay. This customer charge is part of the $49.19 flat rate price. On an annual basis, Campbell estimates he saves between $100-180 with the metered rate.
Water conservation is not a big part of the Campbell household. In fact, he doesn't even have one water efficient device in the house. Additionally, his backyard is comprised of a 500 gallon fish pond and until last year he had a spa. "I use all the water I need," he said. "But I'm not wasteful."
