The Average Monthly Water Bill for an Apartment

Many apartment residents pay a monthly water bill as part of their utility payments. The average of these water bills varies depending on several factors such as the area of the United States in which the owner lives, the amount of water she uses and the size of her apartment. Apartment residents can lower their monthly water bills to get a lower average bill.

The average monthly water bill has several costs rolled in to one payment. Primarily, your water bill consists of charges you accrued by using water inside your home. Your water bill can include other monthly charges. For example, many utility providers place a monthly service charge on your bill. The company bases this service charge on the size of your water meter and you pay the same amount each month. Some utility companies may also place a conservation charge on your bill. This charge goes toward paying state fees for water processing plants. Many cities include sewage and waste removal charges on your water bill. These charges cover the cost of handling sewage water and trash for your home.

The average monthly water bill for an apartment depends on several factors such as local rates, size of apartment and water usage. Local rates vary by city and state. LeakBird reports that as of March 2009, water rates in major cities range from $2 to $3 per 748 gallons of water. Smaller towns and suburban areas may have a lower water rate. The size of an apartment also factors into the average. Larger apartments, especially with more than one bathroom, may use more water than a smaller studio apartment.

Personal water usage plays the largest factor in an average water rate for an apartment. Typically, apartment dwellers use water to take showers, flush toilets, wash dishes or wash clothing. If the apartment houses two people, has a washing machine and a dishwasher, the monthly average will likely run higher than a studio apartment with one occupant and no major appliances. Apartments with outdoor grassy areas that require frequent watering will also have higher average water bills.

Apartment owners can lower their average water bill costs by monitoring their water use. For example, by running the dishwasher or washing machine only when the appliances have full loads, the occupants will use the appliances less. Using the appliance less means less water usage. Occupants can also reduce the number of showers they take or take shorter showers. By doing this every day, they will see a decrease in water usage.