Thursday, June 16, 2011

Water Meter



A man came to my door this afternoon and said he was going to replace my water meter.  I had so many plumbing and sprinkler problems before, and my plumber, Jason, fixed all last year.  See http://keiko-amano.blogspot.com/2010/12/everyday-plumbing.html  So, at first, I thought it could be another problem.  "Water = Problems" was in my head.



My Old Meter
Thank you for serving me and my family for so many years.




Hello, my new meter.  You look good and dependable.





I just love looking at men and women working.  Labor scenes are infectious.  They raise my spirit and makes me work harder.  This blog is a result of his labor.   Thank you, Styder.





9 comments:

keiko amano said...

My water bill includes refuse, but it was going up and up last year and hit $100. After Jason fixed all my problems, it went down to $47. Now my meter is new. I'm curious to find out what my next bill will be.

Vincent said...

Looking at your photos, I would spend some of my water bill by sprinkling on that grass! Traditionally, water is not metered in England but there is a move to put meters in because obviously people use less that way. My house shares a supply with seven other houses, so it would not be possible very easily.

keiko amano said...

Vincent,

I was wondering if anyone would notice the condition of my grass. That’s intentional and comes from the careful corroborating planning between my neighbor and me. Can you believe it? So, thank you for writing it.

In Southern California, plants would die without water. I guess in England, you’ve been using water almost like air. Japan is the same. The amount of water bills in Japan is very low, and I don’t need to water my garden. It rains often. The end of last year, I had my gardener wipe my bamboo bush away, but before I left a few weeks ago, young bamboos were thriving again. By the time I go back, it will be another jungle. One of my neighbors in Japan said I could kill the bush easily if I wanted to, but I couldn’t make that decision. I guess I rather complain and suffer a little because I would miss the bamboo.

To save money, I stop using my sprinkler system in the U.S., so I don’t have to keep fixing it. And I told my neighbor who’s been helping me water my yards that my grass could die, but I wanted my fruit trees survive. He said he wouldn’t let my grass die. So, he’s been sprinkling by hand for me. I have pretty large front and back yards. It takes more than one hour to water one side. So, the reduction of my water bill came not only from fixing the plumbing, but also from less watering.

jiturajgor said...

For what are those round stones for where the man is working? Nice post.My city has yet to adopt this meter style in residences.

keiko amano said...

Jitu,

Those stones are just there. No meaning. I like good looking stones. They give some texture to the garden. Come to think of it, I used have more and enjoyed designing a view.

So, Indians also pay water like English people. Hmm, that's interesting. Then, do all of you pay the same amount?

jiturajgor said...

No keiko we pay according to our sq.Yard built-up area and in lump sum, once in a year with our municipal tax.

keiko amano said...

Jitu,

Oh, it is included in your municipal tax. Then, if your property is large, you pay more. That doesn't work in Japan. Many high income people live in condominium, and some with less live on large ancestral land. But, there must be more to it. Maybe, they consider the value of the house and so on. Talking of house, I have to contest on property tax in US because my neighbor is paying less even though she moved in 20 years or so later. Her house had good renovation inside and out before she moved in.

Rebb said...

Hi Keiko, You made learning about water meters interesting. I’ve never seen one, let a lone a new one. I admire how you are not shy about taking people’s photos. In fact, Styder looks like he enjoys posing for the camera. I have not seen a water bill in a long time. The apartment I’m living in includes the water, garbage, and recycle in the cost of the rent. That may be standard around here.

keiko amano said...

Rebb,

Most of time when I ask people if I can take photos of them and put them on my blog, they say yes with smiles. I only do this when I'm most impressed with something about them. And I give them my name and the name of my blog. Also, to those people who seem bit shy, I let them know that if they don't like it, I can take it down. Nobody has asked me to take it down yet.

So, try it, Rebb! It is such a waste if we cannot share our enthusiasm of the moment. I'm into celebration of life!

About meter and bills, it's very interesting that we all have a bit different system.