topic Re: Sewer/Trash question in Community Chat

Sewer/Trash question

Abrowneyegirl — Fri, 05 Apr 2019 17:50:36 GMT

We will be moving soon so we have two houses and 2 bills for EVERYTHING (augh)

Last night we got another trash/sewer bill and my husband remarked how high it was considering that the other house is empty.

So I called to inquire (note the houses are less than a mile apart they are in 2 different townships)

I found out that everyone in the other township pays the SAME for sewer.

So whether you are a single senior or a family of 12 everyone pays the same!

I find that shocking and almost unfair. The multi-million homes and the little bunglows all pay the same.

Anywhere else I ever lived it was always based off of usage.

How is it where you live?

Do you think that it is fair?

Not that we can change it, I was just curious.

Re: Sewer/Trash question

fthunt — Fri, 05 Apr 2019 17:58:28 GMT

No million $ homes in my neighborhood and no little ones either. Our sewer and trash costs are figured in our Property Tax, no individual billing. I would have to read the darn thing to know what I'm being charged - and no idea what neighbors pay. P Tax also includes cost of public library - fire protection, etc., etc.

Re: Sewer/Trash question

itsmagic — Fri, 05 Apr 2019 17:59:32 GMT

Where I live our sewer bill is somehow based off of the amount of water we use which is usually pretty low except when my husband accidentally left the outdoor hose on overnight!

I wouldn’t like that everyone pays the same no matter how many people are in the household but like you said there’s not much you can do about it.

Re: Sewer/Trash question

KingstonsMom — Fri, 05 Apr 2019 18:03:56 GMT

Where I live the water is based on usage, with the sewage also being based on water usage.

Since I'm in a hot, humid climate, that hardly seems fair either, since having to water our lawns (not using the sewage system) is a common occurrence during the summer, which is 3/4 of the year for us, LOL!

Re: Sewer/Trash question

Still Raining — Fri, 05 Apr 2019 18:04:26 GMT

Trash billed based on size of bin, recycling is included.

Water is from well and sewer is septic, so basically free once in place regardless of usage. The pump is electric, so I guess we do pay to run it.

Re: Sewer/Trash question

alarmclock — Fri, 05 Apr 2019 18:20:27 GMT

Usage? For sewer?

I think when you say "usage", you are referring to your WATER usage.

I do not think your sewage is measured but your water usage is.

When you complain about big houses and little houses paying the same, they do and should.

A hook up is a hook up regardless of the size of the house.

That is what you are paying for. The privilege of being connected to a municipal water AND sewage system.

The hook up is a fixed amount. Your water usage is up to you.

Re: Sewer/Trash question

Bri369 — Fri, 05 Apr 2019 18:25:22 GMT

Where I live is based on usage.

I don't think one fee is fair. I'm sure it's averaged out, but the people who use less are probaby paying for more than they really use.

Re: Sewer/Trash question

kitcat51 — Fri, 05 Apr 2019 19:47:58 GMT

I have a well & septic...I'm looking at homes to downsize & always ask about water & sewer rates, they vary so much & it's something everyone should know before they buy or rent. Trash isn't included in taxes, you pick the company & pay them for their service...trash trucks go through my country sub everyday.

Re: Sewer/Trash question

SeaGal — Sat, 06 Apr 2019 02:30:28 GMT

Everyone in the area I live all pay the same for sewer

and it is ridiculously high, just went up to $196.00 every 2 months.

Water is a seperate bill, comes from a different district, garbage/recycling/yardwaste is also a seperate biller.

Re: Sewer/Trash question

chrystaltree — Fri, 05 Apr 2019 18:30:34 GMT

It's always been based on usage in the towns that I lived in. It doesn't seem fair that's the way it is. No point in thinking about it now.

Re: Sewer/Trash question

catter70 — Fri, 05 Apr 2019 18:33:42 GMT

Where I live, sewer is based on water usage I think the sewer is about 1/3 the cost of the water usage. Everyone in the township is issued very large garbage and recycle cans and everyone pays the same for that whether you put it out every week or once every month. Both are collected weekly.

Re: Sewer/Trash question

geezerette — Fri, 05 Apr 2019 18:54:00 GMT

I’ve lived in places that billed differently. Some included trash and sewer in property taxes. Others had sewer and water together on a bill, with sewer being a portion of the amount of water you used. Trash was either included in property taxes or billed separately. I’ve never had a bill that was sewer and trash only though.

Re: Sewer/Trash question

PinkyPetunia — Fri, 05 Apr 2019 18:59:52 GMT

Where I live the trash collection is included in the property tax bill. Water is billed on your usage, with an additional sewage fee which is the same for each dwelling.

I've lived in different states, counties, municipalities, etc. And every locality does it their own way.

Re: Sewer/Trash question

sissel — Fri, 05 Apr 2019 19:02:06 GMT

Our township also provides large trashcan & large recycle cans too. We get 1 of each but some neighbors who have large families need another can which they provide but you pay extra per month for that. The water is so many gallons per month if you go over then you pay more per gallon after what they allowed you. Motto "The more you use, the more money you lose"

Re: Sewer/Trash question

Travone — Fri, 05 Apr 2019 19:07:25 GMT

IMO, where I live the bills are extremely unfair. Everyone pays the same for trash pickup regardless how much garbage you have or how many people are in your household. So, singles are paying the same as a family of 8.

Water/Sewer is another matter and also done unfairly. Water is based on usage. But, it you don't use enough you are charged a surcharge. So, again a single person is penalized for living alone. While the rest of the country is begging people to cut down on water consumption, my city is penalizing those that do. Go figure. When I questioned it at a city council meeting, I was told "that is how we've always done it." End of discussion.

Re: Sewer/Trash question

deepwaterdotter — Fri, 05 Apr 2019 19:08:02 GMT

Everybody pays the same regardless of size/value of property in my town.

Re: Sewer/Trash question

Marp — Fri, 05 Apr 2019 19:33:12 GMT

When I lived in a place that had water/sewer bills there was a minimum charge based on X amount of water. The cost increased once water usage became higher than the minimum.

Trash was included in city property taxes, along with other services.

Re: Sewer/Trash question

Highlands72 — Fri, 05 Apr 2019 19:39:43 GMT

@Travone wrote:
IMO, where I live the bills are extremely unfair. Everyone pays the same for trash pickup regardless how much garbage you have or how many people are in your household. So, singles are paying the same as a family of 8.

Water/Sewer is another matter and also done unfairly. Water is based on usage. But, it you don't use enough you are charged a surcharge. So, again a single person is penalized for living alone. While the rest of the country is begging people to cut down on water consumption, my city is penalizing those that do. Go figure. When I questioned it at a city council meeting, I was told "that is how we've always done it." End of discussion.

---

I can understand the uniform charge for garbage collection, as it would not be cost effective to measure garbage. Sometimes we put out a full can; other times only partially full. The truck and crew arrive no matter the amount we put out.

As far as water and sewer, my city is similar to yours in the sense that there is no financial incentive to conserve. Water and sewer are "metered," but the fixed costs account for practically the entire bill; the actual usage costs are very low. The difference in the monthly bill is negligible whether you use 1000 gallons per month or 5000 gallons per month.

Re: Sewer/Trash question

bikerbabe — Fri, 05 Apr 2019 19:40:20 GMT

Sewer and trash are a flat fee for everyone. I’ve never heard of sewer based on useage.

Re: Sewer/Trash question

chlema — Fri, 05 Apr 2019 19:45:38 GMT

Our water usage is billed from an independent company, every month it averages around $60. Sewer usage is based on our water usage and it is billed by the county once a year. Since I am a senior it is a flat fee of $38.00. Trash and recycle is done by independent collectors and the fees vary. I currently pay $98 every 3 months and yard waste is an additional fee.