Even after cutting back, our numbers looked bad and we didn’t qualify for any rebates. It’s frustrating when you’re actually trying to do the right thing but the system doesn’t account for ...
I get where you’re coming from, but I’m not totally sure making the baseline more flexible would solve everything. Like, if they reset it every time someone new moves in, wouldn’t people just game the system? Use a ton of water at first, then cut back and cash in on rebates? I mean, I agree it’s not fair when you inherit someone else’s bad habits—just feels like there’s gotta be a better way to balance it. Maybe some kind of average for the neighborhood instead?
- I get the concern about people gaming the system, but honestly, I think most folks just want a fair shot.
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That could work, but what if you’re the only one on your block who actually cares about saving water? You’d still get penalized for everyone else’s habits.Maybe some kind of average for the neighborhood instead?
- Maybe a combo—like, partial neighborhood average, partial personal usage history?
- I’ve seen similar issues with energy rebates in apartments. Sometimes you inherit someone else’s crazy high baseline and it’s just... not motivating.
- There’s probably no perfect fix, but I do think the current system feels a bit rigid.
I get the frustration with inheriting someone else’s baseline—seen that a lot with energy credits in multi-unit buildings. The combo approach makes sense, but I’d lean heavier on personal usage history. Otherwise, you’re basically at the mercy of your neighbors’ habits, which isn’t fair or motivating. Maybe there’s a way to set an initial baseline when you move in, then track your own progress from there? It’s not perfect, but at least it gives people more control over their own incentives.
WHAT IF YOUR CITY PAID YOU TO USE LESS WATER?
Totally get where you’re coming from. When we renovated our place, the previous owner’s water usage was way out of line with how we live—huge garden, tons of laundry, etc. It took a full year before our “normal” showed up on the bills. Starting fresh with your own baseline would make things a lot more fair. I get that it’s tricky in condos or shared buildings, but it’d be nice to not feel penalized for someone else’s habits. At least tracking your own progress gives you something to work with, even if it’s not perfect.
WHAT IF YOUR CITY PAID YOU TO USE LESS WATER?
Honestly, it’s wild how much old habits (or someone else’s) can affect your bills. When I’m working on a reno, I always recommend folks swap out the ancient toilets and showerheads first—cheap fix, big difference. Smart irrigation systems are another game changer if you’ve got a yard. If cities actually paid people, I bet you’d see a lot more folks tracking their usage, not just guessing where the water’s going. It’s easier than you’d think to shave off gallons here and there, especially if you know what to look for.
