What is a normal water bill for 4 adults (Pittsburgh, PA)

Question

My bill was $120 with 2 people, it went up to $160 when 2 more people moved in. Now it's suddenly $240... Should I investigate a leak or could it really be consumption (like tenants had guests, taps were left dripping during polar vortex)?

Nick Michaels · Answer

Allegheny County Sanitary Authority - they clean the waste water.Yeah I didn't factor in ALCOSAN either. I believe they bill quarterly, with a customer charge of $15.60 and then a per 1000 gallon usage fee of $7.43 per 1000 gallons used in a quarter. Those are their 2018 rates, I can't find their 2019 rates anywhere - http://apps.pittsburghpa.gov/pwsa/Sewage_convenaynce_letter_PAW_customers_-_FINAL.pdf

Dennis M. · Answer

@Violeta Skarpeta

I’m north of Pittsburgh but my Sharon pa. triplex in Mercer costs me 180$ for 6 people of use .

Nick Michaels · Answer

I just checked and PWSA updated their rates page to reflect the 14% increase - it seems to be across the board

Nick Michaels · Answer

It blows my mind how much water people use. In my primary residence, we have a 6 person (2 adults and 4 kids ranging from 2 to 11) household and use 3,000 per month... We were at 4,000 but then we got a 1.5 GPM showerhead and that helped alot. Strongly considering putting these into our units after the next turnovers and maybe putting something in the lease that there is a $X charge if the showerhead is replaced.

Nick Michaels · Answer

That's interesting. I have never heard of a situation where water usage from a fire hydrant (which I would consider municipal property and responsibility) would be tacked onto a homeowner's bill

Violeta Skarpeta · Answer

Thanks Nick Michaels! Very helpful breakdown. Since 14,000 gallons is astronomically high - could it be that a fire hydrant in front of the property was left running?

Nick Michaels · Answer

So if you are referring to JUST water for PWSA it is $23.25 for the first 1000 gallons, then 9.41 for each 1000 after that. The sewage charge is 7.71 for the first 1000 gallons, then 6.92 for each 1000 after that. So if you use 3000 per month, the water would be $42.07 and the sewage would be $21.55 for a total of $63.62The $120 charge mentioned earlier would be 7,000 gallons per month for water and sewer.$240 would be closer to 14,000 gallons per month which is astronomically high for 4 people.It is worth mentioning that PWSA just raised rates 14% - https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14588172-74/p..., not sure how the 14% is going to be applied (if it will just increase the initial charge or apply it across the board) but good to know.

Nick Michaels · Answer

Most utilities that I have dealt with or researched charge per 1,000 gallons. Some municipalities charge a flat rate for sewage for EDU (equivalent dwelling unit) (ahem Butler Area Sewer Authority) that isn't usage based at all

Tim Wilson · Answer

I assume you are in the city so keep in mind PWSA is expensive and bills per 1000 gallons.  So 2001 gallons is billed the same as 2999 gallons.  However I have a family of 5 (2 adults) that pay about $120 per month.  My other tenants (2 adults) average around $90 per month.  So a $240 dollar bill seems a bit high.  I would look into it further for leaks or excessive consumption.

Troy B. · Answer

Great information here. Thanks again

What is a normal water bill for 4 adults (Pittsburgh, PA)

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