Greene County offers an irrigation credit for all metered sewer customers to accommodate summer watering practices. During the year, water usage is measured and billed according to the amount going to the sewer. Those who water their gardens and lawns are not sending water through the sewer system, so the County began offering the irrigation credit.

Under this system, residents will pay their summer sewer bills based on up to 125 % of their winter water use. If someone uses more than 125 % of their winter water use, the excess will not be billed as a sewer charge. Greene County customers will have this excess water usage billed at the irrigation rate (25 percent higher than water intended for consumption). This method requires no action on the part of the customer; it is automatic. There is no modification of the customer’s plumbing needed. Customers must have a complete winter season usage record (either at a current or previous Greene County Sanitary Engineering Department account address.)  In the event that a complete winter season average cannot be established, the winter usage will be based on 24,000 gallons x 125 %, which equals 30,000 gallons each quarter (60,000 gallons per winter season).

There are other options available to those who use a significant amount of outside water, particularly those with an irrigation system. These options include:

Irrigation Meters. With these meters, water flow going to the outside of the home is measured and customers are charged for water use only, not sewer charges. Because irrigation is not considered an essential use, water used for irrigation is charged at a 25 percent higher rate than water intended for consumption. A permit is required, and there is a $240 charge for the meters, which are permanently installed in the meter pit outside the home. There is also a $400 connection charge. This is the best option for residents with underground irrigation systems or anyone who does extensive lawn irrigation. This option is available to all customers.

Deduct Meters. These meters function in a fashion similar to the irrigation meters, but are installed inside the home. They are available only to individually metered residential units. The County reads these meters, then subtracts the amount of water that goes through them from the sewer bill. Not all homes (particularly those on slabs or crawl spaces) are suitable for installation of such meters and the homeowner is responsible for the $240 cost of the meter and all plumbing expenses for installation. The water measured by the meters will be charged at the irrigation rate.

Hose Bib Meters. The Sanitary Engineering Department only has a limited supply of the Hose Bid Meters and they are available on a first come, first serve basis. These are available only for individually metered residential units that have a new lawn or newly resodded or reseeded lawn, or those who want to fill a swimming pool. These units attach to an outside faucet and measure the water used outside. That amount is then subtracted from the total amount used so no sewer charges apply. They can be used for up to one season for irrigation (April 15-October 15) and for four days for swimming pools. There is a $10 fee for the four-day use for filling swimming pools. There is a $50 annual cost for those using the meter over the season for their lawns. The water measured by the meters will be charged at the irrigation rate. Customers "rent" the meters and must return them to the County. Late fees apply and the rental fee must be paid at the time the hose bib meter is picked up.

Note: If you use one of the alternate metering methods, you are NOT eligible for the irrigation credit.