[Piwoslaw]

Re water usage, here are a few ideas:

• I've seen analog (dial) type water meters with a wire that sends a signal every time a certain dial turns. They are cheaper than the fancy digital meters, but could be even cheaper if you DIY (similarly to the gas meter in a link you recently shared).
• Install one for your water mains (the utility probably won't you replace their meter, so install your's after it).
• Put another one before your hot water tank, so you'll more or less know how much hot water you're using.
• One more meter just for the toilets. This will tell you how much can be saved by switching to lower flush models and/or reusing grey water to flush.
• And another meter for water that goes outside (yard, trees, car washing, etc.). Now install a rain water system and watch the meter stop moving Metering water for yard usage is becoming popular here, since it allows the sewage bill to be reduced by that amount.