Save on outdoor water with a sewer reduction meter
Last April’s Flyer featured a story on Smarter Yardscapes, with tips for saving water with conservation landscaping. For people with standard yards or a small garden, it’s an effective strategy for water use management. But what happens when you need a lot of water? Filling your pool or sodding a new lawn can really run up your water and sewer costs in the short term. Renting a sewer reduction meter from IMU for major events offers substantial savings.
What is a sewer reduction meter?
Sewer reduction meters are installed directly to your outdoor water line that measure the amount of water you use for high volume events. The amount is then deducted from your sewerage bill because it doesn’t go through the sewer system.
How much money can I save?
In Indianola, the current residential sewerage rate is $18 for the first 1,000 gallons of water each month, then $9.85 per 1,000 gallons. Your savings will depend on your personal needs, but a standard-sized in-ground pool holds about 15,000 gallons of water. A sewer reduction meter saves almost $150 on a total fill. A quarter-acre of new sod needs up to 7,000 gallons of water per week, so the savings would be similar over two weeks.
How do I rent a sewer reduction meter from IMU?
It’s easy. If you know you’ll need a meter this Spring, call IMU customer service during regular business hours at 515-961-9444 to make your reservation on a first come, first served basis. If all the meters have been checked out, we’ll add you to a waitlist and notify you to schedule installation as soon as one becomes available.
After two weeks, our technicians will retrieve your meter and review the settings. You’ll receive a credit during the soonest available billing cycle. Depending on timing, charges may appear on your bill that will be credited the following month.
And if you regularly use large quantities of water outdoors - for a large garden, for example - consider purchasing a water-only (irrigation) meter that’s installed inside your home to measure outside water use. IMU sells and installs them for $500 plus plumbing fees.