After discussions with the citizens, the Greene County Water/Wastewater Advisory Committee recommended changes in the billing system to the Commissioners.  The accepted  changes were adopted by the Commissioners by resolution on 12 July 2000.

These are important options/changes and should be weighed carefully since the benefits from any one of the options may take several months to be realized

Any one of the following options is available to residents:

Irrigation Credit - This will only apply to all individually metered residential units unless the resident indicates they choose a different option.  Under this system, residents will pay their summer sewer bills based on up to 125% of their winter water use.  If someone uses more water than 125% of their winter water use, the excess will not be billed as a sewer charge, but will be billed as a water charge at the irrigation rate.  This method requires no modification of the customers plumbing.

Irrigation Meters - These meters are already used in a number of homes.  Water flow going to the outside of the home is measured and the customers are charged for water use only, not sewer charges.  Because irrigation is not considered an essential use, water used for irrigation is charged a 25% higher rate than water intended for consumption.  The irrigation meters currently in place will still be available.  No refunds will be given to those who have already installed such meters.  The meters are 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 would read these meters, then subtract 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 will be responsible for the $240 cost of the meter and all plumbing expenses for installation.

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 will be available only for individually metered residential units who have a new lawn or newly resodded or reseeded lawn or those who want to fill a swimming pool.  They 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.  The water measured by the meters will be charged at the irrigation rate.  Customers actually "rent" the meters and must return them to the County.