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Non-Tech : Kirk's Market Thoughts -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Kirk © who wrote (1056)	4/17/2014 12:02:08 PM
From: robert b furman	1 Recommendation Recommended By Gottfried Read Replies (4) \| Respond to of 26764

Hi Kirk, OFF TOPIC In the FWIW sector. Your question about what we pay for water intrigued me to look into my bill. Sewage is based on water used during December to February (when lawn sprinklers should be shut down and gardening is not really in need of watering)our rainy period here in Houston. Our average this year: 13,000 gallons for the 3 months which they average up to 4,000 gallons per month. Our base bill is 10.00 a month - if over 4000 gallons are used the max is 13.80. Last year I had a sprinkler leak and didn't get it fixed till I returned from Wisconsin - my average was 9000 gallons and the sewage monthly was 17.25 minimum per month. It pays to watch your consumption ! We are charged a base of 5.00 per month for water plus 1.38 for each 1000 gallons used up to 3000 gallons So my february bill was 2000 gallons or 7.76 for water and 10.35 for sewer - my lowest ever. If we use more than 4000 gallons the cost of 1000 gallons doubles to 2.75 per 1000 gallons More than 16000 gallons and the rate goes to 4.15 per 1000 gallons. Over 31000 gallons and the rate goes to 5.50 per 1000 gallons. It pays to conserve. My leaky sprinkler nailed me all year long last year on the sewer portion . I also installed a rain gage which shuts off the system when it rains. I don't try to have a quick shower,but I can't imagine how a family with children could do less than just the two of us do? Although two years ago we had an unsual drought, Houston usually gets a lot of rain. That being said our town had to drill new wells as the water table has dropped - the result of a fast growing population here in The Woodlands. When I moved here in 1995 the population was 39,000 - it now is over 105,000 and nearing completion with the exception of corporate headquarters who are reducing our property tax burden (which is very high relative to other Houston rates). Not sure if this is high or not ???. One thing for sure it is a complex world we live in. I learned a lot about my water bill today - we all should understand how it works!! My school building in Wisconsin has it's own well and a flat 6.00 a month sewage bill. The cost of my well water is my electric bill to pump it. Not much at all.