Frontage or Water Meter?

My building is a two-family, with three to four adults living in it at any one time; there is a washer-dryer unit and a dishwasher that is rarely used. I just received the frontage bill, it was $1612 for a year – should I stick with this, or switch to a meter? Thank you!

chillym

in Utilities 11 years ago

7

1257

Please log in, in order to post replies!

7 replies

Newest Oldest

therefuser | 10 years and 3 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5030 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5029 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "182629"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(10) "therefuser"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$B7pHo2xcP.K90H7YjaWciVePu/lA8E/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(10) "therefuser"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(20) "therefuser@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:48:18"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(10) "therefuser"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(182629)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

The answer to your question SHOULD BE, UNDOUBTEDLY, METERED! Frontage billing is a RIP-OFF!!!!!!! And, the new Multifamily Conservation Program will prove to be the same. I was paying THOUSANDS on the Frontage plan for YEARS because I didn’t know any better. Once I applied myself ans sat down determined to lower my monthly and quarterly outlays, it slapped me in the face that I had been robbed. Do yourself a favor and choose metered every time unless you own and operate a laundromat.

chillym | 11 years ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5028 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5051 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "178606"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(7) "chillym"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BCsP.Rgtx0.MeOq.7QPox.0YOs5Blk."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(7) "chillym"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(17) "larocco@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(29) "http:///forums/users/chillym/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:19:42"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(7) "chillym"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(178606)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

thanks so much – this is all very helpful

williamsburgguys | 11 years ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5029 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5019 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "179772"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(16) "williamsburgguys"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BcTw5wsxim9sw6gnCR/OE1x0rr8VYR0"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(16) "williamsburgguys"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(26) "thomas.hellmer@verizon.net"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:04:27"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(16) "williamsburgguys"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(179772)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Sheesh. We are one family with 2 bathrooms, washer, dishwasher, and 2 teenagers who both take 30 minute showers every day (I don’t ask why:-)). Our metered water/sewer bill is around $130 per quarter. We run the washer daily (front loader) and the dishwasher (Bosch) every 3 days or so. That sounds really high to me.

BSDOD | 11 years ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5051 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5030 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "81246"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(5) "BSDOD"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BpqvRGP4Id0C73kjibT68k9K1ogPrL."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(5) "BSDOD"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(18) "apoprilo@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(19) "/forums/users/apop/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2010-10-21 00:43:10"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(4) "Apop"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(81246)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

I think you would save $200 a year by adding a meter.

ventilated | 11 years ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5028 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5052 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "176829"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(10) "ventilated"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BWUCXtBMV9NDhOzLR8xPDucYhAddV70"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(10) "ventilated"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(22) "cupolacoffee@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(25) "/forums/users/ventilated/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:25:50"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(10) "ventilated"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(176829)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Frontage bills are being phased out and replaced by metered billing or the Multifamily Conservation Program, which does not apply to buildings your size. Frontage bills tend to be way higher than metered billing. An added advantage is that you’ll be billed quarterly. If usage changes drastically, quarterly metered billing gives you the chance to discover leaks in their early stage. $400 is a ridiculous amount to pay per quarter for 3-4 people, even with a dishwasher and washing machine used regularly in each unit.

Arkady | 11 years ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5029 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5053 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "14677"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(6) "Arkady"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BSLpIhH1FLNbV2Qdpb/F67tu7brrgw1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(6) "Arkady"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(20) "rkdillon@verizon.net"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(21) "/forums/users/arkady/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2008-08-04 21:50:38"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(20) "HL9P1Plx6tnm1l8GiJvd"
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(6) "Arkady"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(14677)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

I’ve found meter to be cheaper both in a one-family & in a 3-unit.

daveinbedstuy | 11 years ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5051 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5054 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(4) "3864"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(13) "daveinbedstuy"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BtJYyObAQmff2MQp.qFP7/kmwU1bBZ1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "daveinbedstuy"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(19) "djl135e54@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(55) "http://bstoner.wpengine.com/forums/users/daveinbedstuy/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:23:53"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(13) "daveinbedstuy"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(3864)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Sounds about right. I think I was paying about $400 per quarter.