What is a normal water bill for 4 adults (Pittsburgh, PA)
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)?
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 $240 dollar bill seems a bit high. I would look into it further for leaks or excessive consumption.
Thank you, that's very helpful. Hard to believe tap water can cost so much...
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#5 General Landlording & Rental Properties Contributor
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@Violeta Skarpeta
I’m north of Pittsburgh but my Sharon pa. triplex in Mercer costs me 180$ for 6 people of use .
PWSA bills per 1000? Good to know thanks for the information
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 $63.62
The $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.
Originally posted by @Troy B.:
PWSA bills per 1000? Good to know thanks for the information
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
Originally posted by @Nick Michaels:
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 $63.62
The $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.
I just checked and PWSA updated their rates page to reflect the 14% increase - it seems to be across the board
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?
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.
Originally posted by @Violeta Skarpeta:
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?
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
Originally posted by @Nick Michaels:
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.
I might just dispatch a plumber to check for leaks and change showerheads while he's at it.
Can someone ( @Nick Michaels ?) help me understand my bill:
Usage: 9,000 gallons
Water consumption charge $98
Sewer System Maintenance $63
Alcosan Charges: sewage treatment $77; surcharge BOD $0
Who is alcosan and why am I paying for sewer twice?
I already called them but heard nothing conclusive.
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
Great information here. Thanks again