omg the first water bill (Austin, Center: house, water heater, live in)

[Jgo1985]

Hi everyone,

Just moved into our house in SW Austin (a community) and got the very first water bill: a whopping $295! Is this normal? First gas bill (natural) was also $165. Seems high to be especially since we haven't cooked much.

Lived in a large-ish house in CT for some time and never saw utility bills this high unless someone recklessly left things running....

Thanks much for any feedback!

[Need4Camaro]

The water bill seems very high but are there any deposit / connection fees included in that or is that all usage?

[cheeva]

Going out on a limb here - you live in Belterra.

[Jgo1985]

Originally Posted by cheeva

Going out on a limb here - you live in Belterra.

Nope, right next door at Highpointe!

[1200RT]

Irrigation (sprinklers) is by far a homes bigger water use. Just a thought as this is something I've experienced coming from NE to drier climates.

[ScoPro]

Check all your water lines for leaks, including those to the street and your sprinkler system (if applicable).
I know a guy who ignored his faulty toilet valve running at what he thought was a minor leak, and wound up having to pay a $900+ water bill to the city.

[eqshadimar]

I get power and water from the City of Austin and gas from Centerpoint. I live in SE Austin in a ~2600 sq ft house on a standard 60 ft lot. Gas heat, gas water heater, gas stove. Average gas bill in the summer is ~$30. In the winter ~$50. Water + Electric is ~$100 in the winter and ~$250 in the summer. Winter and Summer inside temp is 72 and colder at night for both seasons. Water once a week in the summer.


Edit:


I do live in a Energy Star Certified House (2x6 exterior walls, super efficient doors/windows, etc.)

[Trainwreck20]

How big is your house? Are you watering a LOT? Who is your water provider? How many gallons did you use? A very ball-park estimate is ~740-1000 gal/month per occupant, excluding irrigation.

Cooking uses almost no noticeable amount of NG. Most of the use will be heating, although hot water and dryer (if also NG) could cause a bit of a bump. Where is your NG supplied from? Is it actually hard-piped propane?

[Jgo1985]

So it turns out $150 of the $295 was deposit and connection fees. The actual water bill was $145 (which is high but better than $295!) Starting to think part of the high water bill is the lawn which is new and needs plenty of watering. If I recall correctly there are 10-12 zones across the lawn? I don't know if that's a lot of zones typically.

House is new, double inspected, high efficiency, and approx 3,000 sq ft. Gas still surprises me though...dryer is electric, we don't use the gas fireplace much, and haven't cooked much recently. It could be be the heating system/water heater as mentioned above.

How are your average electric bills? Ours was $86 for two weeks (we were mid cycle when we started).

[ScoPro]

Well then, for a house that size it is not really outrageous.
We live in a 26 year old one story 2,100 sq/ft House on a 6,600 sq/ft lot, with standard 2x4 walls but recently re-insulated attic ceiling. December electric was $91, water was about $70 (do not have an in-ground sprinkler system), front yard is xeriscaped. NG averages $35.