I ended up turning the water off last month. Since I don't have hot water here, and use a composting toilet, do i really need to spend $26 (base fee only) for city water?

As it is i buy my drinking water from a refill kiosk anyway. (15 cents a gallon)

I shower at the public recreation center or use my solar shower for quickies, since I have no hot water.

Between the kiosk for drinking water, the rain barrels for gardening and laundry, and filling up five gallon plastic jugs at an outside tap in town (for bathing, cooking, house cleaning and cat drinking water), I am more than fine.

That saves $312 a year from my base city services fee. After adding in actual water use, it would probably be a total savings of $450 a year.

I could certainly put that money to good use elsewhere. Probably for cat vet bills or car repairs, neither of which i have a fund for now.