Water Bill

Have you read the information on the Moving Center page? ( click above left) Here is info on costs: https://www.vimovingcenter.com/cost_of_living/ Most places have cisterns, so if it rains, your water is free. Unfortunately, it has been very dry and the water trucks are making lots of money right now.

Is cistern water generally drinkable?

Good question

In my experience - no!

we have a 180 foot deep well and all of our water goes through 3 filters and an ultraviolet light system

Isn't water generally included in rent?

I drink cistern water & have for years with no ill effects but maybe I've built up a resistance. Of course, I'm not a big water drinker. Generally water is not included in rent.

Homeowners are for the most part reasonably diligent in regularly chlorinating their cisterns and I've never heard of anyone getting sick from drinking their cistern water although I'm sure it's happened. Commercial establishments (condos, hotels, restaurants, schools, etc) are required by law to have their cistern water tested monthly for potability.

Potability is one thing, taste is another and personally I don't care for the taste of either chlorinated cistern water, well water or desalinated water so buy bottled water.

Some landlords include water in the rent while some, if it becomes necessary to purchase water, divvy up the cost between tenants, and others meter the water to individual apartments. There are infinite variables and anyone renting should carefully read their lease and, if water isn't mentioned, ask what the situation is. Hope this helps.

cistern water quality varies from property to property. If a house is situated in heavy vegetation and overgrowth, then more of the falling leaves, etc. wind up in the cistern along with whatever bugs and assorted animal feces goes with it. Houses without any close vegetation or trees overhanging the roof don't get as much sediment material in the cistern. Most people bathe in cistern water, cook with it, wash dishes with it, brush their teeth with it, etc. without ill effects. Some drink it and some do not. Some filter their cistern water and/or treat it with clorine or ultraviolet radiation while others don't do anything to their water. The islands don't have wide spread dysentery or parasitic diseases even though most residents rely on cistern water. If the taste of your water bothers you, then by all means get a water cooler and some of the 5 gallon bottles.

Many rentals do not include water or other utilities. A few condos do include water in the rent and some apartments in people's houses also include water from the cistern. For those with metered water, rates on STX are usually 2.5 cents per gallon up to 7 cents per gallon. Depending on how much you waste or conserve, your monthly bill can vary dramatically. I've seen people with water bills of just $50 per month and others who pay over $250 per month. Tenants should definitely run a spreadsheet of costs for each property they consider. If water is included, that's a nice bonus and your base rent can then be higher without actually costing you more in the bottom line.

We rent and drink cistern water exclusively without any problem.

Our condo uses city water.
I took a sample home to a friend that is the plant manager of a water bottling company. he tested it for me, and said that it passed. It wasn't as good as the bottled water that they produced, but as good as the city water here. Our condos use cistern water as well, but I believe they only use it in the toilets. Yes we have a seperate water system for the toilets. I don't think they treat it, as it has a rusty look to it.

Terry: Do you have a gray water system at your condo? That usually has a separate cistern with the gray water (recycled and terated effluent from the treatment plant) that is used in the toilets and for irrigation.