Some things are predictable, but the Warwick Water Division couldn’t have predicted it would snow the day the quarterly water and sewer bills arrived.

Division director Terry DiPetrillo figures the snow just added to the shock of homeowners whose quarterly bills were twice what they paid the previous quarter. Here it is winter. It’s snowing and they’re being charged for using all this water. Something has to be wrong? The calls came in – although not quite as plentiful as DiPetrillo expected.

When division personnel gently suggest the caller look at the time period for the billing, there is often a pause on the end of the line and a pleasant “thank you” or more likely a click.

The most recent quarterly billing is for some of the hottest and driest summer weather we’ve had. July rainfall was 0.74 inches as compared to nearly seven inches the year before and 1.86 inches in July 2020. Last summer was the hottest or record topped only by 2020.

It was a drought and for a first time the division called for a voluntary odd/even system of outdoor water use for pools , gardening, car washing and sprinklers . Providence Water Supply, where the city buys its water had water reserves to meet demand, but DiPetrillo was concerned about pressure and a prolonged drought.

Even with appeals to conserve water, usage spiked.

Total water consumption for the December billing period (June to September) was 686.7 million gallons as compared to 608.9 million gallons for the same billing cycle last year.

For those on sewers without a deduct meter for outdoor water use, it was a double whammy. The sewer usage change is based on the water consumed.

“It pays for itself,” Mayor Frank Picozzi said of the meter he installed some years ago. He noticed he had to regularly replenish his pool from the high level of evaporation during July and August. He remembered the cost of the meter and installation being under $1,000, speculating it is probably more today.

Depending on the size of a meter that can be obtained from the Warwick Sewer Authority, the cost is between $238.34 for a 5/8” pipe and $885.69 for a 2” pipe. The authority also has a list of plumbers qualified to do the installation. Authority reported a dozen inquiries about the meter on Friday alone from residents concerned by their water bills.

DiPetrillo pointed out that sewer fees make up two thirds on the bill.

“Water is relatively cheap,” he said.

Warwick Sewer Authority director Betty Anne Rogers put in these terms: “If it doesn’t come to us, you don’t pay for it.”

A city plumbing permit from the city Building Department is required prior to purchasing a meter. Deductions will not start until after the meter installation has been inspected by the Building Department.

DiPetrillo is exploring the feasibility of monthly billing.

He points out that would make it easier on customers and to more quickly identify an unexplained spike in usage – most frequently a toilet leak and on rare occasions a faulty meter. Features of the system under consideration are for customers to check their water consumption on line on a daily basis.