Fallout from improved electrical wiring in Pearl Lagoon

Electric Bill before Improvements

In May 2013 we wrote a blog about the road and electrical improvements here in Pearl Lagoon (New Wiring and Graded Roads for Pearl Lagoon). Everyone was all excited, expecting great things - days on end without loss of electricity, but what has been the reality?

Sad to say, here in Pearl Lagoon we are still experiencing a LOT of power outages. For example, last week we had two full days when the lights were out. One would think that with this lack of electricity there would be a reduction in our energy costs - but that hasn't been the case. Our electric bill has more than doubled - we have heard similar stories from many of our neighbours. Some store owners that we have talked to are facing a dilemma.  They are trying to figure out how to keep costs down and still make a living. With their electricity costs more than doubled many feel that they are only in business to pay for their electricity consumption. Just like the stores at home they have to have two fridges for the different cold products - one for Coke and one for Pepsi. We know of at least one store owner that has had to decide to supply their customers with a more limited choice of products rather than carry the extra cost of two fridges.

It's interesting to note that our electricity bills in León were in the 300 cordoba range. We had ceiling fans in each room that were almost always on. Here in Pearl Lagoon we have one fan that is usually run mainly during the night. Other than that all of our appliances are the same.

Claims have been made to the company responsible for providing electricity, but many feel that there will be little satisfaction - I guess time will tell.

Electric Bill after Improvements

House for Rent in Pearl Lagoon, Nicaragua

Are you looking to move to Pearl Lagoon, Nicaragua? We know how difficult it can be to find adequate accommodations in this small community. We thought we would let you know that as of October 22, 2013 the house we are currently renting will be available for new tenants.

The house is very secure and has 3 bedrooms, two bathrooms, large eat-in kitchen and a good sized living area. There is a nice porch and front yard. The back yard is also a decent size with lots of room for drying laundry. There is a hookup for a washing machine inside. The master bathroom has been wired for an on demand hot water shower head (see our post Awww the pleasure of a hot shower)

Our monthly electricity bill has been about 500 cordobas ($21.00 CDN). We don't run an air conditioner but we do have a fan running almost continually. Our municipal water costs are 173 cordobas ($7.25 CDN).

If you would be interested in more information about renting this house, please use the "Contact US" form and we will send you more information.

New wiring and graded roads for Pearl Lagoon, Nicaragua

The past few weeks have been a challenge living here in Pearl Lagoon. There have been very frequent power and water outages. It has been hard to get even some of the most basic things done - especially laundry. Power and water outages seem to go hand in hand - if the lights go out you know that the water will go out shortly afterwards. The laundry could be done in the pila but I've never learned to do laundry by hand and so we wait for the power and water to come back on. Sometimes it takes a whole day just for one load to go through the whole cycle....

The upside of the situation is that they are in the process of updating all the electrical wires and when they are finished we are supposed to have better service with less outages.

Men working on the electrical wiring - Pearl Lagoon

Completed installation of the meters - Pearl Lagoon

Road maintenance is also in progress right now with large graders working on the waterfront road down by the Police Station towards the cemetery. We aren't sure at this point whether or not they are planning on paving or stoning the road but hope that the finished project is an improvement from the previous dirt road.

Graders on Front Street near the Police Station - Pearl Lagoon

Roadworks on Front Street - Pearl Lagoon

Paying your water and electricity bills in Pearl Lagoon

Electricity statement

It is surprising how quickly time passes here in Pearl Lagoon and with the passage of time comes our utility statements - water and lights. Considering how small Pearl Lagoon is we were surprised at how long it takes to receive the statements because the ones we received actually were payable by the previous tenant - so check the dates very carefully. Since we know the previous tenant it was easy for us to get the money that was owing for the bills however, make sure that you are clear with your landlord that you are only responsible for the electricity and water that you consume.

So - where do you pay your electricity bill?  Surprisingly, there is no signage to indicate where the office is located. By asking around we found out that the office is located in a house on the Main Street (the one that the bus comes in on) one block north of the Moravian Church. The house is currently painted pink and if you look at the picture carefully you will see that there are some notices posted on the wall outside.

House where you pay your electricity bill

water statement

It is easier to find out where to pay for your water bill since it is owing to the Municipality. They have an office on Front Street (the street where the municipal wharf is located). It is also located one block north of the Moravian Church.

Municipal offices for Pearl Lagoon

Disposing of Garbage in Pearl Lagoon

One of the first questions we had when we moved here was - "Where do we put our garbage for pickup". Boy, were we surprised when we found out that there is no system for garbage pickup here. No, every family takes care of their own garbage and that means that they burn it.

As you walk through town you will often see patches of burnt areas where people have disposed of their garbage - it's a shame but I guess at this point there isn't any alternative.

How do I pay for my garbage pickup in León, Nicaragua?

As part of our Rental Agreement we are responsible for paying for the monthly garbage pickup. Sounds easy doesn't it? Well, we have been here for 9 months already and we have only just received our first billing.

The invoice came from "Alcaldia Municipal de León" stating it was "Aviso de Cobro de Tren de Aseo". When I read that through the translator it came up with a crazy result and so I thought this invoice was for the sewers. However, my landlord assured me that it was for garbage collection.  When I went to pay the invoice the receipt does read that the money received was for "Garbage and Cleaning".

Where did I pay my invoice? You pay for the garbage collection at City Hall which is on the north side of the central park. With renovations going on in the park you enter the building by the west side door and go into the office that says "Caja" (the right side of the foyer). After you enter the office you take a number which is located on the back wall and then you sit and wait for your turn to pay.

What if I don't receive an invoice? You are still required to pay for the garbage pickup monthly. If you go to the office at City Hall and give them the account number and name then you can make the payment.

How much does it cost for garbage collection? Garbage collection only costs 40 cordobas per month - so it is extremely reasonable with pickup 3 times a week. Our pickup time is 5 am so we have elected to take out our garbage only once a week. It isn't wise to put your garbage out the night before because there are too many dogs (and unfortunately people) that will tear your bags apart and leave you with a mess to clean up in the morning.

How to pay your Electric Bill in León, Nicaragua

Your invoice for your electricity consumption should be delivered monthly to your house from DISNORTE-DISSUR.  Their website indicates that you can have your invoice sent to you electronically through email which might be a little more efficient - especially if you don't have a mailbox and you aren't home when the invoices are being delivered.

Union Fenosa Disnorte Main Office Leon

The invoice will detail the energy that you have used for the month as well as any subsidies you are entitled to (if you use less than 150 kwh). The bill is due approximately 20 days from the date of issue. You can pay the invoice at the bank - BAC, CITI, BANPRO, BANCENTRO or BDF.  All of them have locations in the city center. Your other option is to pay the invoice directly at their main office which is located on the north side of the block where the La Union Supermarket is. They also have "satellite" offices throughout the city where you can pay your account.

Union Fenosa Disnorte Satellite Office

There have been a couple of months when we didn't receive our statement. When this happens you will need to go to the main office and they can print off a copy of your statement - all you need is your account number. The "satellite" offices - at least at this time - are not connected to the head office and don't have printers to give you a copy of your statement. They may however request a copy to be sent to them and then you can return the next day or so and they will have the invoice for you.  If you get behind in your payments it would probably be best to make your payment directly at the main office so that there is no delay in them receiving the payment.

Where do I pay my water bill in León, Nicaragua

We had a visit from our landlords daughter this weekend. During the course of the conversation she asked if we had been receiving our bills for the utilities - power and water specifically. We informed her that we had only received the bill for our power and that the usage was only for one week due to the timing of the invoice.  We told her that we hadn't received the water bill yet. She said that we should go to Enacal and find out how much is owing and pay it so that we don't become delinquent.  When we asked her where the office was here in León, she indicated that she didn't know.... It didn't take too much investigation and we found someone who could tell us how to get there.....

This is the sign you are looking for.

From the south side of the Cathedral going East you will pass the Central Market. In the next block you will find Panaderia Mungui. You will know you are there because it is extremely busy with people lined up on the sidewalk - and with good reason too because their treats are delicious and well priced.

A few buildings away is your destination = Enacal.  This is how close you are to the Cathedral when you look back the way you came.....

The staff here are very helpful and as long as you have the account number and the name of the person that the account is in they will let you know how much is owing.  Can you guess how much our water bill was for the month of March???

A whopping $2.35 CDN