|
Johnson Family |
|
|
Family Size |
4 |
| House |
1,500 sq./ft -- 4 bedrooms, 2 baths |
| Yard | 100 X 200 sq./ft front yard |
| Average Monthly Water Bill |
$32.65 (not including taxes) |
Raymond Johnson voluntarily switched from a flat rate to a meter because he heard positive feedback from others who made the switch. Mr. Johnson is now an advocate of water meters himself – with a savings last year of $210. The savings did not result in a change in water usage, rather the Johnson family only pays for what it uses.
His bill decreased from the mandatory flat rate of $49.19 to an average of $32.65. His actual water cost is the total monthly bill less the customer charge of $10.02 or around $22.63. This customer charge is part of the $49.19 flat rate price. On an annual basis, Mr. Johnson paid about $379 in 2002. If he did not have a meter, his annual flat rate bill would have been $590.28. That is where the $210 savings comes from.
Johnson's outside water efficient practices include following the twice-weekly watering schedule and hand watering his garden on the off days. And his indoor water usage is neither overly conservative nor abusive. "If you are abusing water use, you are going to pay for it (on a meter)," said Mr. Johnson.
