Now for something really SEXY: Saving on your Sewer Service Charge (SSC). Hubba-hubba. My most recent bill’s SSC was $22.89. I had paid as much as $155.55 until I wised up.
I will tell you the answer first, because the explanation could put you in REM 3. If you have automatic sprinklers and you live in an area that charges you a sewer usage charge based upon water you use – you might wanna shut them off until Spring. I live in the warm and sunny Los Angeles “Valley”. I shut off my lawn sprinklers between the first rain in November until March-April.
I started doing this a few years ago and my lawn, in full sun, has not suffered a bit. Individual results may vary. Void where prohibited without the expressed written consent of Major League Baseball.
Serve your environmentalist side with your “green” stance on water conservation while currying favor with your inner capitalist by keeping “green” in your wallet!
Pull out your water bill or find it online. Find your bill dates (i.e. Dec 10 – Feb 11), plan accordingly. If nothing else, shut those sprinklers off December-February, and you’ll see your savings when your SSC rate resets in July.
Why? Water’s not that expensive. True. But in Los Angeles, homeowners pay a Sewer Service Charge. It is a somewhat complicated calculation based upon the amount of water used during the billing period of the previous winter that had the lowest daily water consumption. Since you don’t need the sprinklers watering an already moist, dormant lawn – save yourself what could be hundreds of dollars.
Another tip: Friends of mine live in the valley here in LA and NEVER water their lawn. They benefit from being at the bottom of the hill on their street. Just like how a rising tide lifts all boats, the lowest yard soaks up excess sprinkler juice!
> LADWP.com
> To learn more about the Sewer Service Charge
