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koala
Newbie
Posts: 5
Registered: 6-11-2010
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Strange Water Usage
Hi,
We purchased a small house in Southern Baja about two years ago. We have traveled to Baja numerous times past 10 years, but maintaining a property
there is a new adventure for us.
We are puzzled by the water usage and hoping if any of you have a good advice. The house is located in a residential (Mexican) neighborhood and it
has a town water. Most of the time the house is unoccupied, but we have a gardener who comes and takes care the yard (about 1/2 acre with a dozen
fruits trees) every other week.
We shut off the water in the house, so there shouldn't be any dripping water. But somehow according to the water dept record (meter?) the water usage
shoot up periodically at random time and any money we pay in advance as credit run out and our gardener has to call us that we have a water problem.
The last time we were there we spoke with the water dept. and we were told that sometimes air bubbles get in and meter incorrectly registers because
of that. So as recommended by the water dept, we put some kind of system which supposed to prevent the air bubbles as well as to lock the meter from
tampering.
However, the problem hasn't been corrected and we got another call from the gardener.
We were wondering what is happening and what we can do to solve this on-going headache. I would like to note that our gardener is very trustworthy as
he has worked for the previous owner of the house as well as other gringo houses in surrounding area. So I really doubt that he misuses the water.
I appreciate any thoughts and advice.
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shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13048
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
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Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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Do you have a meter on the incoming line?? Any possibility of neighbours "borrowing" water??? a drip system shoot the meter way up too I found
out...so even a dripping hose might do it if left to drip for days.
It's tough if you arent here...also in our village, some days there is no water and someone might turn on the water or open the hose nozzel and then
forget to turn it off when no water comes out...then when it does come on...it floods...one night of hose being left on will up your bill.
[Edited on 6-11-2010 by shari]
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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Buy a Tenaco, a large plastic water tank.........fill it and let your gardner work out of that. Turn off all water to your property. Then, you'll
have a good arguement with the water company.
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BajaBlanca
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Posts: 13197
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
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How often do you visit the house, Koala ? What does the gardener do, Dennis, if the water is off and the tinaca is empty? or are you thinking he
would be responsible for filling it and then the neighbors can't use the hose ???? as well as if there is a leak, it will show up?
sounds like you need a house sitter for when you are gone, Koala
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by BajaBlanca
What does the gardener do, Dennis, if the water is off and the tinaca is empty? or are you thinking he would be responsible for filling it and then
the neighbors can't use the hose ???? as well as if there is a leak, it will show up?
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I don't know. I guess the gardner could turn on the water to fill the tank.
Actually, what better reason could one have to build a swimming pool. Next time they leave, all they have to do is hand the gardner a shovel and a box
of bandaids. 
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AmoPescar
Senior Nomad
Posts: 835
Registered: 7-15-2006
Location: North San Diego County
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Mood: Need a Fish Taco and a Pacifico!
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My bet is on the neighbors siphoning off water
I've heard other VERIFIED stories of individuals AND even whole groups of neighbors teeing into water lines AND electric power to meet their own
needs.
I think I would do some serious investigation of the incoming water line...after the water meter...to make sure that is has not been cut and tee'd
into by neighbors.
Miguelamo 
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BajaBlanca
Select Nomad
Posts: 13197
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
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Miguelamo where do you live ????  Mean nieghbors around, for sure
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AmoPescar
Senior Nomad
Posts: 835
Registered: 7-15-2006
Location: North San Diego County
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Mood: Need a Fish Taco and a Pacifico!
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I DON'T LIVE IN BAJA and DON'T HAVE THE PROBLEM...
But as I said I've heard VERIFIED stories of this happening to individuals and in mass. There was a WHOLE NEIGHBORHOOD in Tijuana that was stealing
water and electicity (you can only imagine how unsafe the electrical connections were) to supply their needs. When it was found out and corrected,
they simply hooked up again. Kind of like illegals being deported...they often are not out of the country for more than a day or two and then are
back.
Miguelamo
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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Mike is right. That's why I suggested turning off the water. Turn your neighbors into the Great Unwashed and your nose will explain everything to
you.
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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Mood: Full Time Residents
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i think someone is "living" in the house
you NEED an internet camera
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64854
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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I may have missed this, but how is the gardener watering the trees if the property water is off?
Is only inside water use is charged, and a non-metered water source is used for the trees?
Air in the line can't pass through a meter if the valve after the meter is closed.
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fishabductor
Senior Nomad
Posts: 800
Registered: 5-29-2010
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I'm guessing that they turn off the water at the toilets, sinks...ect, but leave the hose bibs on for the gardener.
if neighbors are stealing:
Bob's idea of cameras would catch this.
get locking hose bibs installed.
Mikes story of stolen water is rampant in san jose too. The gringo gazette ran a cover story on this.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64854
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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This is where I suggest an automatic (battery or 110v controller) drip irrigation system and eliminate the hand watering. If you can't lock your
property from the thieving neighbors, then put lock boxes over irrigation valves and remove handles from hose bibs. Sadly, they can put a handle back
on or use plyers to steal your water.
If there is a way to install the irrigation system on a branch line before the main line goes into the house, with a locking valve where it enters the
house, then that is an option.
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fishabductor
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good advice david...
however maybe the crooks work for the water company
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David K
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Posts: 64854
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Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Then there isn't much one can do, unless you have a pila, and a well to get water from.
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fishabductor
Senior Nomad
Posts: 800
Registered: 5-29-2010
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I like the rotoplast idea earlier.
hope you had a great trip, any other damage other than the bumper?
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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kate it takes me one hour and a half
with a one inch hose from a "spigot"
to fill my 500 gallon "pipa"
a "normal" water "pipa" truck is 3500 gallons
let's do the math
3500 / 500 = 7
7 * 1.5 = 10.5 hours to fill a "pipa"
i think its something else over there
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bob and Susan
a "normal" water "pipa" truck is 3500 gallons
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Regular size around here is 2500 gallons and they travel eight miles from the wellhead. 400 Pesos is their charge to my place and it's 500, I think,
over the hill to the Buf.
Bob...What are they charging in your area?
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
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$1000 pesos to $1500 pesos for the 3500 gal tankers
12 miles to the pump over the BIG hill
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
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Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bob and Susan
$1000 pesos to $1500 pesos for the 3500 gal tankers
12 miles to the pump over the BIG hill |
OUCH....but waddya gonna do? I think I'd consider a 500 litre Tinaco in the back of a truck.
How do you fill your pool?
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