Hauling Water Yourself

Let's say you need 1,500 gallons of water.

You have a 350-gallon tank and live 10 miles (20 miles round-trip) to the fill station.

You will have to make 5 trips (4.29 trips) to get the full 1,500 gallons.

The 2025 IRS standard mileage rate to drive 1 mile is 70¢.

(Note: The IRS is not taking into account the stress on the vehicle of carrying almost 3,000 pounds of water each trip)

Taking 5 trips of 20 miles each adds up to 100 miles and translates to $70.00.

Now, you must calculate the cost of your time.

If you drive 45mph that is over 2 1/4 hours of driving time. Then add a minimum of 5 minutes each trip for loading the water. You are at almost 3 hours of your time, not counting loading and unloading the water at your house.

If you "charge your time" at $18/hour that is $54 for your time.

(Your total cost in this scenario is $124 for the delivery plus $30 for the water for a total of $154)

VWA Services Hauling For You

In the same scenario, VWA Services will charge $94.44 + $30 for the water, for a total cost of $124.44.

 If you talk with a neighbor and coordinate deliveries, your delivery cost could be $54.31 each.

PWSID# MT0005134