There is a 2000 gallon tank on the property that serves the building. 

and yes i would do some weeding, plop in a few $6/gallon succulents from lowes/homedepot, and throw down some mulch ($3/bag) for a fresh finished look (or even better, gravel if my wallet affords it)does landscape pay off?

If the next two meter readings are at 12:01 AM Tuesday and 12:01 AM Wednesday, you'd see 240 gallons for Monday and 240 gallons for Tuesday, which is what you expect. 

Buy in 5 gallon buckets, cheaper, less trash, and less materials needed.

As well, your limited resources now have a chance of really doing something. 10 gallons of water will soak 10 people, but barely mist 1000.

Bleach, 1 cup to 1 gallon of water.

I have a 60-gallon unit with a mixing valve serving 8-units and 12 bedrooms, never an issue or complaints.

. $150 will get you at least 5 seasons, maybe up to 20 if you run it clean and are careful not to hit anything with it.1 - Take five minutes and check the yard for sticks, rocks, stumps, roots and hidden metal stakes (garbage too)2 - Clean the air filter every time you use it3 - Mix the gas with Seafoam or some similar gas stabilizer/cleaner - also try to run the mower out of gas every time - never buy more than 1 gallon of gas at a time as it goes bad pretty quick (or even buy just a half gallon)4 - Change the oil every year, the blade and spark plug as neededDo all that and a mower will last a very long time and continue to start very easily, unless you bought a dud. 

Like, I see online hotel supply stores selling 4 gallons of shampoo for $50 or $60, but that still doesn't beat (per ounce) Costco's 40 oz of shampoo for $3.50!

Desert something from Walmart... comes in ready to buy gallons.