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How City residents can save money on a comb=
ined
water, sewer, and drainage bill
City of Vancouver
water, sewer and drainage utility customers pay all three charges on one
combined bill. Every two months, homeowners pay a base rate for wat=
er,
sewer and drainage services. In addition, you pay for the number of
gallons of tap water used.
Let's look a little more closely at a typic=
al
bill. Your base rate depends on the size of the meter that is usual=
ly
the same for most single-family homes. After the base water rate,
customers pay for the amount of water used (shown in units of CCF or one
hundred cubic feet. One ccf equals 748
gallons). Use less tap water both indoors and outdoors and your bill
will be lower.
Your "base sewer rate" is more
customized to you. Sewer charges are based on "winter use,&quo=
t; a
particular two-month period in the winter. During this time, the Ci=
ty
calculates the amount of water going down the drain (which determines your
sewer base charge) by how much tap water you use. This base is what=
you
pay every two months for the rest of the year. Use less water indoo=
rs
in the winter and your bimonthly sewer base charge will be less all year
long. For other questions about your city bill, call 696-8152.
Clark Public Utilities' water customers rec=
eive
their water and electric bills together. Sewer is provided by anoth=
er
utility. The water bill includes the monthly service charge and a
charge for every 100 cubic feet (that is, 748 gallons) of water used.&nbs=
p;
For questions about a CPU bill, call 992-3000.
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High summer water use
How much more water do you use in the
summer? If you are an average Clark County
homeowner, you use and pay for about twice the amount of water in summer =
than
in winter. Plants and lawns are thirsty in summer. Water
utilities often are forced to expand facilities only because demand in su=
mmer
rises so high. Peak demand, as higher summer use is called, costs y=
ou,
the customer, more. Utilities often expand to provide high volumes =
of
water for only a short period each year.
How many more gallons are consumed during t=
he
summer peak? On August 11, 1997, the City pumped more than 54.4 mil=
lion
gallons of water. Looking at the whole year, the average water supp=
lied
every day was 26.2 million gallons. Clark Public Utilities pumped 15
million gallons on an average summer day and only 6.5 million gallons on a
typical winter day.
Saving water in summer is a HOT topic. =
; It
not only saves you month on your bimonthly bill but saves all of us
money in reducing the need to pay for more wells and pumps in the
future.
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How to use less water outside
Using less water outside in the summer saves
you money in two different ways. First, on your water bill...that's=
a
given. But secondly, on the amount of money the utility needs to
increase water supply facilities and equipment for double summer water
use...and that bill ultimately goes back to you, the utility customer.&nb=
sp;
You can reduce your outdoor water use by
careful lawn care, by choosing climate-friendly plans and by cleaning
sidewalks and cars with less water.
Healthy lawns with deep roots use less
water. Find out about the best ways to fertilize, aerate and cut yo=
ur
lawn. Water-smart lawn watering is not a mystery. Water once a
week, and only until a tuna can fills up one inch. Water everything=
in
the morning or in the evening. Know your topsoil...does it absorb w=
ater
slowly or quickly? Find out about the latest gizmos and gadgets in
irrigation to make wise-watering more convenient.
Use plants that are adapted to the northwest
climate. There are hundreds of trees, shrubs and perennials to choo=
se
from. For more information, call Master Gardeners at the WSU extens=
ion
office for a climate-friendly plan list. That number is 254-8436.
A broom and elbow grease clean up patios and
pavement. Put a shut-off nozzle on your hose and use a bucket to wa=
sh
your car. Free-running hoses use up to 300 gallons every hour.
For more information about water conservation, call the City at 696-8478 =
and
Clark Public Utilities at 992-8022.
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How to use less water inside=
Here's a quick trivia question for you.&nbs=
p;
In what part of the house do you use the most water? Garage, kitchen or
bathroom? If you said "bathroom," you are right. Ab=
out
70% of the water you use indoors flows in the bathroom.
Find out about your bathroom and kitchen
fixtures. Plumbing codes in place since 1992 require low-flow toile=
ts,
showers and faucets. You can retrofit old plumbing fixtures with wa=
ter-saving
devices. Do not forget to fix leaks right away. Check out opt=
ions
at your local plumbing supply.
Now that you have "fixed' your fixture=
s,
look at your habits. Do you turn water off while brushing your
teeth? Can you get by with a shorter shower or less water in the
tub? Do you make full loads when using your clothes and dishwasher?=
The water utility takes on the responsibili=
ty
of providing good clean water to your house. All of us have the
responsibility of using water wisely.
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