We will review your water usage and possibly direct you to apply for a water bill adjustment. Also find information on government and non-profit water bill assistance. Our professional plumbers will be able to install a water pressure reducing valve for you as well as to adjust the water pressure properly. To view a PSA video produced by CITV about “use more, pay more,” click here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mg5bp5dFo5c. Finding and fixing leaks in and around your home will not only conserve water but save you money as well. Plumbing Maintenance: Avoid High Water Bills The easiest way to avoid a costly and inconvenient plumbing emergency is to schedule regular maintenance, and you can count on Leaside Plumbing and Heating for fast and efficient service. Some of the common cause of high water usage include, but are not limited to, the following: • A leaking toilet, or a toilet that continuously runs after being flushed (see additional information below). Your irrigation system uses water from the San Antonio Water System, and at current rates, you pay up to 0.6 cents per gallon. High water pressure can wreak havoc on your plumbing system, increase your water bills, and shorten the lifespan of several appliances. How to avoid high water bills during hot, dry summer months SAWS says drier weather may lead to high water bills. Our reservoirs are located at a higher elevation than the area it serves so water can flow by gravity. SMWC’s service area is divided into several pressure zones. If you need assistance in turning off your water at the meter, please contact us at (909)795-2401. The customer is responsible for any necessary repairs beyond the water meter away from the street. ... Avoid stacking anything against the … It is often located on the customer side of the water meter on the side closest to your house. You can also take shorter showers to lower your bill up to $75 a year. Also, avoid over-watering. If your water bill is higher than normal, you might want to consider the following possibilities to help you determine the cause before you give us a call. Meters will still be read once a month, and customers can expect to receive a notice with details within a few days. We think that going into the summer with a good chance of drought restrictions on the horizon, it’s a great opportunity for customers to give it a try.”. A “customer valve” shuts off water to both the inside and outside of the home. As daily temperatures rise, water usage is rising as well, as homeowners strive to keep their lawns healthy. Many homes are equipped with a pressure regulator. Even when parched, your yard may not need the drenching you think it does—Water My Yard tells you how long to run your sprinkler system at each watering based on ZIP code, type of system and amount of recent rainfall. He wanted the company to resolve the complaint by reducing the high bill to reflect his previous usage history. A “house valve” shuts off water to the inside of the home. That might not sound like a lot, but your sprinkler system uses about 12 gallons of water per minute, which works out to 2,160 gallons or $13 over three hours. Customers struggling with paying their water bills have a number of assistance programs they can turn to. Get help paying water bills from American Water's low income assistance and H2O - Help to Others water programs. This valve is for water company use only. Please do not try to operate the valve on the water company’s side of your meter (the side closest to the street). “Customers have told us that they want personalized tools to understand and manage their household water use,” said conservation director Karen Guz. “WaterSmart is a groundbreaking tool for SAWS in that it will provide monthly reports showing our customers how to make good water and money-saving decisions. Avoid flushing tissues and other small items in the toilet, actions that use 5 to 7 gallons of water at a time. Damage to this value will result in the customer being billed for repairs. Pressure regulators cannot increase the pressure beyond what is supplied by SMWC in your pressure zones. If your water pressure is high your pressure regulator may need to be adjusted or serviced. This allows the water to sink into the ground without evaporating in the mid-day heat. SAWS provides service to more than 1.8 million customers in San Antonio. High Bills. Many home owners water more than they need to. Common causes inside your home can include leaking toilets, dripping faucets or showers and leaking water pipes. To “Although we have an ample supply of water for all our customers,” said SAWS President and CEO Robert R. Puente, “the innovative tools we have for our customers will give them better information faster and help extend our water supplies.”, TRENDING: Video shows woman defecate on restaurant floor, throw feces at employee. How do I know if I have a pressure regulator? Water your lawn at night or early in the morning. Landscape Watering The majority of significant increases in water use happen during the summer with increased landscaping water. Mary Claire Patton, Digital Journalist. Homes that are at the lowest elevation from the reservoir will have higher pressure. Don’t be taken by surprise when you get your next water bill; sign up for customized watering recommendations through Water My Yard, a free program of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service conducted in partnership with water districts, cities and public utilities. Pressure regulators are bell shaped devices that are usually located on the inlet pipe next to your hose bib and house valve. SMWC is not able to check for or repair leaks on a customer’s property. That way, you aren’t using potable water for these tasks, and nothing saves on the water bill like using what nature provides for free. Prevent High Water Bills with “Water My Yard” As daily temperatures rise, water usage is rising as well, as homeowners strive to keep their lawns healthy. Pressure regulators are used to adjust the water pressure to an appropriate pressure for your home. To read more on the WaterSmart program, click here. Follow these tips to find leaks inside or outside your home: Water to your property can be shut off to detect leaks and make repairs in two ways. Copyright 2018 by KSAT - All rights reserved. sign up for Water My Yard’s free, weekly e-mail reminders, go to www.watermyyard.org. The water company offered to reduce Mr L’s debt by $1,348 on the current bill, and $700 on the subsequent bill. Mary Claire Patton has been a journalist with KSAT 12 since 2015. The customer contacted EWOV unhappy with the company’s offer. A leak in the system will spike your water bill even higher. A few examples of leaks outdoors include leaking sprinkler heads or valves, leaking hose bibs and service line leaks. We recommend a qualified plumber make adjustments to your pressure regulator since incorrectly adjusting the pressure regulator can damage household appliances. It is often located on the riser where water enters the house. SAN ANTONIO – SAWS has a new, free, online WaterSmart service that provides customers with many tools, including suggestions on how to conserve water. WaterSmart will provide feedback on monthly water use, compare your usage to similar homes and offer customized tools for San Antonio residents. If after taking these steps you still feel your bill is high, please contact our customer service team at 512-494-9400. ... Watch that water heater. She has reported on several high-profile stories during her career at KSAT and specializes in trending news and things to do around Texas and San Antonio. 7 Bills You Don't Have to Pay During the Coronavirus Pandemic Federal, state and private relief programs may allow you to pause on paying these expenses. High home-heating bills pack a real punch into household budgets across the United States each winter. SMWC is responsible for maintenance and repairs to the water system from the street to your water meter. They may also be located in the ground at or near your water mater. If your water bill is higher than normal, you might want to consider the following possibilities to help you determine the cause before you give us a call. Customers can sign up for WaterSmart Home Reports through the end of May. Not only are we available 24/7 when a problem does occur, a visit from one of our licensed technicians can help protect the value of your home. In higher pressure areas customers can adjust or install a pressure regulator to reduce the water pressure coming into their home. If you need help with the Public File, call 210-351-1241. If you are experiencing a problem with the water pressure at your property, whether it is lower than usual, higher than normal or fluctuating, there are a few things that you can check yourself before calling us. If you are still experiencing water pressure issues after troubleshooting these areas, please contact SMWC at (909) 795-2401. Water leaks can occur both inside your home and outdoors. (Helpful hint: if you’ve lost your sprinkler system’s instruction guide on how to set it to “manual” or how to reset the automatic zones, guides for many systems may be found online at manufacturers’ websites.). POTENTIAL CAUSES OF HIGH WATER USAGE An unusually high water bill is most often due to a leak or change in water usage. Using less water in the bathtub and turning off the faucet as you brush your teeth will also help you save money. Water Conservation Tips Offered for Pool Owners, Widening Project to Come to West Campbell Road at US 75, Grant Funding for 2018-19 Arts Groups Approved, Annual National Night Out will be celebrated Oct. 2, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mg5bp5dFo5c, Air North Texas Provides Ozone Action Day Tips, Air Quality Alerts, Excitement abounds at Family 4th Celebration.