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Service and Information
4200 Leeland / Houston, TX 77023
Phone: 713.371.1400
2008 RESIDENTIAL LAWN METER FACT SHEET
Many people wonder if they can save money by installing a lawn meter at their home. A lawn meter measures the water used outdoors and charges for water only, not for sewer. Customers with a lawn meter will receive a separate bill for this meter.
To decide if a lawn meter is right for you, you must first estimate how much water you use outdoors. One way to do this is to compare your winter and summer average consumptions, shown on the front of your bill. Unless your regular indoor water usage (laundry, bathing, cooking, etc.) varies greatly by season, most of the increased summer usage will be for your lawn watering.
Now, compare the monthly billing for a lawn meter and a residential meter against the cost of only residential service. The minimum charge applies from zero usage to the minimum amount for each meter size. Both the minimum charge and minimum use increase with the size of the meter installed. The rate for any usage in excess of the minimum is $5.02 per 1,000 gallons. You may not always save money by installing a separate meter, depending on the amount of usage. The following rate chart and examples may help you make the decision.
Meter Size |
5/8 |
1 |
1.5 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
6 |
8 |
Minimum Charge |
$21.30 |
$23.88 |
$63.38 |
$97.95 |
$212.62 |
$359.96 |
$741.26 |
$1,071.95 |
Minimum Usage |
3,000 |
3,000 |
10,000 |
16,000 |
35,000 |
60,000 |
125,000 |
180,000 |
g/m = gallons/month; |
7,000 g/m |
14,000 g/m |
30,000 g/m |
5/8” residential meter only
(no lawn meter installed) |
$51.04 |
$101.30 |
$241.78 |
5/8” residential meter
(Base usage of 3,000 gallons monthly)
5/8” lawn meter
(Remainder of water used for irrigation)
Total monthly cost for both meters |
$13.97
$26.32
______
$40.29 |
$13.97
$61.46
______
$75.43 |
$13.97
$141.78
_______
$155.75 |
Remember that this is just an example. You must look at your own actual usage to evaluate if you may be able to save money with a lawn meter. Then add the minimum monthly charge plus all the installation costs against your possible savings during the summer months.
A city-approved plumber must install the lawn meter for you. You may call the Taps & Meters Section at 832-395-4400, for a list of approved plumbers and required city fees to install a lawn meter. Also, remember that there is a minimum monthly charge for a lawn meter, even if you do not use any water. To reduce this cost you can close the account during winter months and reopen the account for the summer for a $5.00 reconnect fee.
Please contact our Customer Service Center at 713-371-1400, to assist you in getting the information necessary to determine if you might save by installing an outdoor lawn meter.
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