Yesterday the media was ready to crucify Tom Selleck for water theft...

[ultrarunner]

Current water bill which does NOT include the 25% drought surcharge that went into effect 7/1/15 is as follows.

$46.84 for the 3740 gallons of water

$32.53 for wastewater treatment of the above water when I send it back

$71.52 to "Rent" the city sewer pipes for wastewater return...

Not using a drop of water would still cost $136.74 (Pre Drought Rates)

 

[WM75Guy]

Glad I don't have the same water company. We use about 4000 gallons a month. Usual water bill is $30 - $35. Last month we had a leak on the line coming from the meter, the house is 650' from the street and the meter. I found it when bushhogging when I sunk the tractor up to the frame. Our bill for 27,500 gallons was only $107.

 

[ultrarunner]

Water is liquid gold... not so much as to the cost... more so due to all the restrictions and fines that can be assessed.

A few of my friends have caused problems for themselves... a couple of years ago they started voluntary severe rationing... their water usage dropped maybe 80%...

The saying no good deed goes unpunished proved true... the water company used historical usage to determine allocations and it went back two years ago... those that had cut back 80% 3 years ago find themselves in a world of hurt.

We still had a sizable garden last year and the grass was still green... not lush... no garden this year except for the fruit trees and grass is tinder dry/brown...

Some creative lawn service companies are coming once a month in my area and using green dye on brown grass... from a distance is does look better... plus, it is entrepreneurial spirit in action... keeping their customers during a time when mowing isn't going to cut it... plus all the big garden supply stores have been almost giving away walk behind mowers... just no demand.

 

[Jstpssng]

Water is liquid gold... not so much as to the cost... more so due to all the restrictions and fines that can be assessed.

A few of my friends have caused problems for themselves... a couple of years ago they started voluntary severe rationing... their water usage dropped maybe 80%...

The saying no good deed goes unpunished proved true... the water company used historical usage to determine allocations and it went back two years ago... those that had cut back 80% 3 years ago find themselves in a world of hurt.

We still had a sizable garden last year and the grass was still green... not lush... no garden this year except for the fruit trees and grass is tinder dry/brown...

Some creative lawn service companies are coming once a month in my area and using green dye on brown grass... from a distance is does look better... plus, it is entrepreneurial spirit in action... keeping their customers during a time when mowing isn't going to cut it... plus all the big garden supply stores have been almost giving away walk behind mowers... just no demand.

You guys are making me glad that I live on this side of the continent-although everyplace has it's down sides. There are no such thing as water rights here, I've been going to a beaver pond down the road to water my garden. Not that my well is bad, I pumped 10000 gallons out of it in 3 days, but I can't drive to it and the pond is more convenient.

 

[ultrarunner]

Water wars are definitely back... stay tuned.

 

[smstonypoint]

You guys are making me glad that I live on this side of the continent-although everyplace has it's down sides. There are no such thing as water rights here, I've been going to a beaver pond down the road to water my garden. Not that my well is bad, I pumped 10000 gallons out of it in 3 days, but I can't drive to it and the pond is more convenient.

We do have water rights in the Eastern US -- here they are based on riparian law (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riparian_water_rights).

Steve

 

[Jstpssng]

We do have water rights in the Eastern US -- here they are based on riparian law (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riparian_water_rights).

Steve

I learn something every day. Luckily for me I have permission from my neighbor to the water... I was driving to a nearby lake.

That 5hp pump works SO much faster than my well pump... and the plants like the warmer water.

 

[ultrarunner]

Plants really seem to thrive on pond water... I think water too cold confuses them.

 

[Jstpssng]

Plants really seem to thrive on pond water... I think water too cold confuses them.

Years ago I rented a garden spot from an older couple who was (were?) downsizing after having a vegetable stand for years. They would fill their sprinkling cans from trash barrels which were kept topped off and left in the sunshine. He argued that cold water would cause the roots to go into shock. It made sense to me and I've always tried to use warm water ever since.

 

[ultrarunner]

About the only plants around here that seem impervious are Redwoods with the roots in the creeks... it can get cold here.

Apparently water temp makes a huge difference in growing grapes here in Napa... even with wells... some will pump to a pond before use.