I think every place is different.

Wonder MM, it is possible that there are higher water bills in your region than in other places. But something else might be cheaper.
For example, I mentioned at JT about the fixed charges on my utilities bills. From people's responses, it seems some of them don't have a fixed charge. I had written :"My gas company has a fixed charge of $28. My electric company has two fixed costs that totals 18..." and some people don't understand it..