As Philadelphia continues to grapple with inflation and pandemic-related supply chain and production issues this year, monthly utility bills are astronomical. Primarily gas and electricity bills, but water bills are likely to rise in the coming years as well.
The reason for this increase is that the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) is calling for a 20% increase in fees over the next two years. If approved, the increase would increase the average Philadelphia household’s current monthly bill of about $70 to $84 by the end of 2024, which is subject to regulatory board approval.
Whether or not these rate increases go into effect, it is always advisable to keep an eye on your water usage (especially in bathrooms). Half of residential water consumption). Plus, you can save money on your monthly water bill.
The Inquirer has compiled some of the best tips from official sources to help you save and save.
use less water
Of course, it’s easy to simply use less water, but there are a few tricks you can use throughout the day that will significantly reduce your water use in the long run. This is what the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends.:
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Turn off the sink while shaving, brushing your teeth or washing your face. Turn on the sync only when you actually use it.
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A bath uses more water than a shower. Stick to showers and keep them short.
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When washing dishes, plug the drain to prevent water from continuing to flow.
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Use the dishwasher and make sure it is fully loaded. If you don’t fill the dishwasher completely, you’re wasting water because it has to run a smaller load. Use it to scrape off any leftover food on your plate.
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Get a filtered jug of water and store it in the refrigerator rather than running the faucet until it’s cool enough to drink.
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If you need to thaw something for a recipe, put the item in the refrigerator overnight. Using hot/hot water to thaw items quickly is a waste of water if you can plan ahead.
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Instead of using a food waste food disposer, start composting.
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Make sure the washing machine is fully loaded when doing laundry. If not, use the exact correct load size and set the appropriate water level for that load. Cold water also consumes less energy than hot water.
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If you want to wash your car, use a commercial car wash instead or fill a bucket with water. Keeping the hose running to wash your car is a waste of water.
Check for leaks or running water
According to PWD, continuous operation toilet This is a common cause of high water bills. Additionally, a leaky pipe under the sink or a leaky shower head wastes unused water throughout the day.
good luck, You can use your home water meter to check if your home is leak-free..
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Turn off all water inside and outside your home.
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Find your water meter. (Usually in the basement near the wall closest to the street.) Record all the numbers that appear on your water meter (you’ll use these numbers later).
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Everyone in the household should turn off water for a few hours, such as while sleeping or going to work or school.
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Go back to your water meter after a few hours and read the meter again.
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Compare the original recorded number with the current reading to see if there is a leak and how much water is leaking. A plumber can help if you need help understanding the numbers or if the cause of the leak isn’t obvious.
PWD is also upgrading Philadelphia’s water meters. About 500,000 new water meters installed in every home, according to PWD, they are almost half.This upgrade needbut there is free of charge for installation. If your home has not yet been upgraded, call 215-709-5329 to make an appointment. Reservations are available Monday through Saturday from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
you can also Check the outer hose plug for leaks Or “bib”. Check if the water is leaking slowly and make sure the spigot is closed.
Check every faucet in your home, including your basement, garage, laundry room, kitchen, and bathroom. This also means shower heads and utility sinks. A leaky faucet can waste more than 5,000 gallons of water annuallyaccording to PWD.
Check for puddles in the cabinet under the sink. If you find it, it’s most likely leaked.
Remember, homeowners are responsible for water leaks in their homes. Also, any damage caused by leaking pipes or fixtures in the home is the responsibility of the homeowner. PWD is only responsible for water and sewer main leaks and repairs.
Use water saving products
Water efficient products are designed to use less water and energy and may reuse water to complete a task compared to less efficient products. The EPA has sponsored a partnership program called: water sense It serves as a certification label for consumer products that meet EPA standards for water conservation.
These products save 20% more water than average products in their category, such as sink faucets, toilets, shower heads and irrigation systems.All these products can be found using WaterSense Product search tool.
There are also energy-saving home appliances that help save electricity.seek ENERGY STAR certified These products are certified by both the EPA and the US Department of Energy. All of these products can be found online. energystar.gov/products.
Estimated usage is a red flag
This is a small tip, but it will save you a lot of time. Your water bill should state the exact amount of water you used during the month. “estimated usage” or anything other than an accurate measurement could result in a higher bill next month. This is because, in many cases, usage estimates use conservative estimates to determine water usage, even though you may actually be using much more. .
If your water bill says you received an estimated reading, call PWD 215-685-6300 immediately to schedule an inspection.
Connect to nearby energy centers
there are 16 neighborhood energy center (NEC) is located in the Philadelphia area and assists residents with public services and monthly bills. NEC staff can connect you to affordable programs that help lower your monthly bill or pay off outstanding balances, enroll you in a home repair program for plumbing problems, and provide energy counseling. can.
One element of water service that can lead to higher gas and electricity bills is heating water in your home. For showering, bathing, shaving, cooking, and cleaning, many residents use warm or lukewarm water — require considerable energyAccording to the EPA, if your home uses an electric water heater, About 25% of the electricity bill is used for hot water supply.
Connecting to your local energy center can help you find all your energy and water bill resources. A complete list of Philly Neighborhood Energy Centers can be found online..
Plans for low-income households in the water business
If your household meets the income requirements, you can enroll in the Utility Affordability Program. The easiest way to get started is to contact her utility service provider directly or contact their representative. Philadelphia Neighborhood Energy Center.
Philadelphia Water Authority
PWD uses one application for home use to apply for the Utility Assistance Program at: water.phila.gov/capCall PWD at 215-685-6300 for assistance with your application.
Even if you don’t fit into either category, PWD will make an exception and enroll eligible customers if you’ve recently been in trouble. These exceptions are: household size increase, unemployment, serious illness, family loss, domestic violence. PWD treats these situations on a case-by-case basis, so even if the situation isn’t explained, you can still try to apply.
Public Utility Emergency Fund (USEF)
USEF Utility Grant Program helps customers pay up to $3,000 in outstanding utility bills. Customers in this situation are eligible if their service has been suspended due to an outstanding balance and their household is up to 175% of the federal poverty line. To meet income requirements, Total must not exceed $48,563 for a four person household.To get started, call 215-814-6837 or email utility@uesfacts.org.