During the month of August, we had significant increases in water consumption on 5 of the 25 water meters on property. This resulted in a water bill of over $35,000.00, which is about 46% of our monthly income from assessments. Lately, the water bill has averaged about $31,000 per month and this has always been our largest monthly expense.
The most significant increase was on part of West Mountain Creek Drive which doubled from 165,000 gallons to 335,000 gallons for the month.
The other 4 meters showing increases 2 on the East side and 2 on the West at these volumes:
- From 62, 000 gallons to 96, 000 gallons (West)
- From 83,000 gallons to 108, 000 gallons (West)
- From 268, 000 gallons to 321,000 gallons (East)
- From 265,000 gallons to 324,000 gallons (East)
Some meters showed a decrease in water consumption, but the majority showed increased usage. Part of the total water bill is the City billing us for Waste Water (sewer) based on our water consumption, which averages about $11,000 per month and is a part of the total water bill.
Please follow the current GP Water Restrictions and help us keep our water bill as low as possible. When watering grass, plants, etc, please do not allow water to run down the street and into storm drains. Here’s a link to the City’s water conservation info.
You might also suggest your homeowners check around the foundation for excessively wet areas which could be a sign of slab leaks These can cause additional damage to your home. This is the time of year you might see these, of course I assume you have the guys do a walk around just in case. Renters really don’t care. It may be time to start checking the clean outs for flowing water in event of constantly running water, and dare say it, someone who moved out and turned all of the faucets on… I really wish we had installed water meters years ago. It might be time to revisit this to get a grip on the ever increasing water bills.
We do have a couple properties that have slab leaks, but they are usually slow leaks, nothing that would account for twice normal water consumption in one area. Usually, leaks are evident when we mow and we have had a few leaks on the City’s meters, usually on their side where it does not go through the meter itself, so it doesn’t register as usage. Sometimes, owners are also a problem, people that flood the back yard, or fill a kids pool and let water run into the storm drains down about 150 feet of street.
The problem with checking clean outs for water flow is we do not know if they are emptying a bath tub, having a shower or doing dishes. Plus, it is difficult to quantify how much water is flowing based on looking in a pipe.
We have looked into the cost of adding in water meters and it is far outside of practicality, estimated costs for 416 meters and installation goes from $250,000 to $350,000. I doubt seriously that owners would go for a special assessment of $600-$800 per household. Besides the huge costs, who will read the meters and send out bills and all. The City will not do that as these meters would be our meters. So there are problems either way we go.
The point of posting this is to educated folks on water restrictions and conservation, and to be responsible with water usage.
Thanks for sharing Don. Hopefully people will read this and pay attention. The end result, if we do not conserve water, make sure toilets and sinks are not running constantly, do only full loads or laundry etc. is an increase in HOA dues, reduced services/improvements and more obviously.
As mentioned, there really is not a good solution beyond resident education. Many of our neighbors are elderly and on fixed income and every increase creates hardships for them. As we all know, or should be aware, trash disposal cost have increased, property taxes, and pretty much everything else. Running the association is EXPENSIVE, and our water/sewer cost is and has been the biggest cost for years. That is the majority of you HOA dues right there.