Need Some Utility Bill Assistance

[WDRacing]

We've just recently rented a house in Ohio. As usual, I dread getting those first utility bills, not knowing how much I'm going to get raped etc.

I got my first water/sewage bill today. I was a tad bit miffed at the amount. It was $145.89 for the dates 12-19-13 to 01-17-14, so one solid month. Here's the breakdown of the bill.
Water = 51.34 for 1615 gallons
Sewer = 68.00 for 1615 gallons
INT = 8.49 Not sure what this fee is
Sewer = 18.06 Not sure what this fee is

My problem lies with the sewer bill. They use my water consumption as a meter for my sewer usage. So, not only are they charging me MORE to dispose of the water than it costs to buy it, but not all of that water actually goes down the sewer.

What about when the spring/summer gets here and I have to water gardens and wash cars? What about kiddie pools and slipnslides? We already don't flush toilets unless we crap in them and I don't waste water for the most part if I can otherwise not use it.

Thoughts on this? I'd like to approach them about this and ask them how they get off charging by the gallon for sewage without actually having a means to monitor it.

[frapjap]

If it were me, I wouldn't volunteer any information about my bill. I'd go on a fact finding mission first. Talk to your neighbors (if they're cool) and bring the bill and see what they think. Might be some insider information there. After that, its time for the call to the utility company.

I'd ask what methods and/or formulas they use to determine sewer usage, why it costs more than water in the first place. Break it down into the details. Based on what I learned, I'd then do quick math on paper and say, "Well, if this is true than my actual cost would be xxx dollars. Could you help me find the discrepancy or tell me how you arrived here?" In addition, I'd ask why you're charged for the same line item, "sewer," twice. My guess is that the house had city sewer installed at an earlier date at a huge cost and every bill has a payment that goes with it on a 100 year loan or something like that.

I'd stay away from the details of your life (slip n slides, garden, etc) as little as possible unless you're getting nowhere fast. My guess is the original customer service person will suck and you'll have to escalate it until you get to a manager or someone infinitely more useful. He/she might be more understanding and help you figure it out. But you already knew that.

[WDRacing]

Already made the phone calls Ray. That was the first step I took. I asked this direct question: Do you use the water meter to determine my sewer usage? Answer yes. Which I knew because they list the gallons of usage on the bill. I just asked because I wanted to hear it from them.

I don't plan on volunteering any info to anyone. The stuff I posted above was to put things into perspective for the readers.