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Secondary Meter For Irrigation - Builder Issue
Posted on 8/17/26 at 10:45 am
Posted on 8/17/26 at 10:45 am
Looking for some advise here.
Purchased a new home, first bill came in, it was over $1,200 for water, sewer, gas, and trash. Thought i figured out the issue with the landscaper setting the irrigation to run for a long period of time to handle the new sod before we moved in. I addressed the issue by cutting back the run time.
Fast forward to the next month, water bill still outrageous ($435 for the month). Shows that i'm using 24,000 gallons of water. My irrigation is set to run at 40 minutes twice a week at each (6 total) location.
Come to find out, i'm paying sewer on the entire 24,000 gallons due to the city handling the sewer side. I called the city about this finding and they educated me on needing a separate meter box for irrigation.
My frustration on the issue is, I feel with this being a new home, the builder should of had a separate meter installed and had the plumber route to the new meter. I'm now looking at $800 for an additional meter plus the plumbing charges which i feel are going to be steep due to the manifolds for the irrigation being on the back side of my house.
What's the H&G boards thoughts?
Purchased a new home, first bill came in, it was over $1,200 for water, sewer, gas, and trash. Thought i figured out the issue with the landscaper setting the irrigation to run for a long period of time to handle the new sod before we moved in. I addressed the issue by cutting back the run time.
Fast forward to the next month, water bill still outrageous ($435 for the month). Shows that i'm using 24,000 gallons of water. My irrigation is set to run at 40 minutes twice a week at each (6 total) location.
Come to find out, i'm paying sewer on the entire 24,000 gallons due to the city handling the sewer side. I called the city about this finding and they educated me on needing a separate meter box for irrigation.
My frustration on the issue is, I feel with this being a new home, the builder should of had a separate meter installed and had the plumber route to the new meter. I'm now looking at $800 for an additional meter plus the plumbing charges which i feel are going to be steep due to the manifolds for the irrigation being on the back side of my house.
What's the H&G boards thoughts?
7
Posted on 8/17/26 at 11:14 am to GeauxTime9
Typically only 1 meter is provided for residential projects. On commercial we always specify a separate irrigation meter because of the sewer charge that you discovered. With that said, you could cut back to 20 minutes per zone twice a week. In the DfW area most cities restrict watering to once a week so we run 20 minutes in the morning and 20 in the evening . Running a zone for 40 minutes typically results in excess runoff that doesn't make it into the soil.
This post was edited on 8/17/26 at 11:15 am
Posted on 8/17/26 at 1:23 pm to GeauxTime9
This is standard unless you specifically request an irrigation meter. Most people don't care enough to water their lawn like you do and it is a non issue. If you wanted an irrigation meter, it is something you would need to specify in the build.
That being said, just get an irrigation meter installed, dig a trench yourself, and run some pex to where you need it. It mike take you a little time but it is really pretty simple.
That being said, just get an irrigation meter installed, dig a trench yourself, and run some pex to where you need it. It mike take you a little time but it is really pretty simple.
Posted on 8/17/26 at 3:28 pm to GeauxTime9
The one time I had a house with an irrigation system I got a second meter.
Posted on 8/17/26 at 3:37 pm to Tadey
quote:
This is standard unless you specifically request an irrigation meter. Most people don't care enough to water their lawn like you do and it is a non issue. If you wanted an irrigation meter, it is something you would need to specify in the build.
Just seems like typical builder BS. We didn't have this option as it was complete when we purchased the home. The builder could of added the meter and plumped it for pennies during the build process. Now the extended cost is at the expense of the home owner. I'll spend roughly $100 extra a month paying a sewer expense that is not real, specifically an expense that wouldn't exist had the builder handled it the correct way.
quote:
dig a trench
Said trench is probably 200 yards in total length to get to the manifold, not a small job.
Posted on 8/17/26 at 3:39 pm to Major Dutch Schaefer
quote:
The one time I had a house with an irrigation system I got a second meter.
This is what i'm understanding as normal practice when a larger irrigation system is installed.
Posted on 8/17/26 at 4:19 pm to GeauxTime9
You would not have to trench all the way to the back of the house unless the irrigation line from the main line is in the back of the house and that is not very likely.
My irrigation line is only 3 feet from the meter. Where is the main irrigation shut off?
I have the same issue with sewage. 15yrs ago I called to see how much it would cost to add a separate meter. Just to add the meter was $2500. I didn't do it.
My irrigation line is only 3 feet from the meter. Where is the main irrigation shut off?
I have the same issue with sewage. 15yrs ago I called to see how much it would cost to add a separate meter. Just to add the meter was $2500. I didn't do it.
Posted on 8/17/26 at 7:12 pm to bbvdd
Is there a backflow preventer between domestic water and irrigation water to prevent you for contaminating the water coming into your house? My house didn’t have one. I had to show the stupid builder the exact code to get it installed.
Dig a well if you can. It will be much cheaper in the long run
Dig a well if you can. It will be much cheaper in the long run
Posted on 8/18/26 at 7:02 am to GeauxTime9
I don't know about LA, but in Florida, GA, and TN, we always installed dual meters for this exact reason. Seems like a scam if builders aren't doing this in LA.
On a side note, the local utility company has never been able to find my meter and just installed a cutout off where the water enters my home. I am charged the minimum every month since there is not a meter (that they can find at least). It's about $56 a month for water, sewer, and garbage.
On a side note, the local utility company has never been able to find my meter and just installed a cutout off where the water enters my home. I am charged the minimum every month since there is not a meter (that they can find at least). It's about $56 a month for water, sewer, and garbage.
This post was edited on 8/18/26 at 7:04 am
Posted on 8/18/26 at 7:56 am to GeauxTime9
quote:
Said trench is probably 200 yards in total length to get to the manifold, not a small job.
Rent a Ditch Witch.
Posted on 8/18/26 at 9:30 am to Major Dutch Schaefer
Posted on 8/18/26 at 6:22 pm to GeauxTime9
I have a private water meter for my irrigation system in my garage. Our home was built in the 90s. We send in the reading every six months to reduce our bill. Water use vs sewer use. Sometimes the discount is so much we get a credit.
I'd get a couple of quotes and see what the cost is to install one. Then do the math on whether it makes sense to do it.
I'd get a couple of quotes and see what the cost is to install one. Then do the math on whether it makes sense to do it.
Posted on 8/19/26 at 7:54 am to GeauxTime9
quote:
What's the H&G boards thoughts?
So, now you learned a valuable lesson for your next build.
I'm sure you won't make the same mistake next time.
I've heard that some municipalities don't allow a second meter so that they can get paid, no wut i'm sayin'
Posted on 8/19/26 at 8:27 am to GeauxTime9
I thought it was a code issue. I know I have two meters w the irrigation feeding into the back flow. They have screwed up readings once and got the two mixed, it was a mess to get cleared up. The water use cancelled out but sewage was too complex for the clerk.
Speaking of I have to have my back flow inspected and send to city soon or I get will shut off that part
Speaking of I have to have my back flow inspected and send to city soon or I get will shut off that part
Posted on 8/19/26 at 11:08 am to GeauxTime9
Maybe not a small job but just from personal experience pretty easy/quick with a trencher. Rent a ditch witch fro ~$300 for a couple hours and you can dig the trench in no time. This is water supply not sewer drain so no need to be exact with depth or worry about the slope.
Posted on 8/19/26 at 1:35 pm to tigerfoot
What you described is why many communities don't allow residentially zoned lots to have more than 1 meter, especially if the lots are connected to public sewer. Its also a fear that people will connect the 2nd meter to an accessory residential unit which may not be allowed.
Unincorporated and rural areas without public sewer are often more lenient/don't care about multiple meters. Its definitely worth checking with the utility and municipality before a new build.
Unincorporated and rural areas without public sewer are often more lenient/don't care about multiple meters. Its definitely worth checking with the utility and municipality before a new build.
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