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Scharie · Jan 13, 2009, 07:51 AM

The city that I live in came and changed my water meter. They claim that my inside meter is correct and the outside meter, which is called the remote reader is wrong. They said the inside meter can no way be off. This meter is over 25 years old and has never been read. The city always goes by the outside remote reader. A couple days after they changed my meters, I received a bill for [4,000 dollars. My question is... can they do that, Is this legal..?. this is not something that I did. The meters belong to them, so why I am responsible. There is no way I used this much water. I could fill up an olympic size pool with this water. I live with my 8 year old child. In a very small place. Please advise me on the legal way to handle this. Thank you,,

George_1950 · Jan 13, 2009, 08:14 AM

You are right, in that your consumption habits have not changed. Do you own the property, or rent? Did the city suggest looking for a leak?

Scharie · Jan 13, 2009, 01:27 PM

I hope this is the answer to my question. I do own the home. It is a duplex and they took out both old meters and gave me 2 bills. ONe for 700 for the rental side and 4,000 for the side I live in with my 8 year old boy.

George_1950 · Jan 13, 2009, 01:41 PM

If you go back over the past 12 months' bills, you can analyze your consumption. If there is that much more this last month, then it sounds like a leak. Can you get under and around the home to inspect for water? I know of a situation like this where the owner hired a specialist to examine the water lines; a leak was found, dumping over 20k gallons of water into the ground; there were no puddles in or out of the building.

Scharie · Jan 13, 2009, 05:52 PM

Well I just got back from the meeting and they said they were going to send both of the meters into a place that finds out if they are working properly. Yeh Right!! Then they will get in touch with me and let me know and if it is working right they will work with me on the bill. That is crzy, there is no way I could have used that much water. No way!!

ballengerb1 · Jan 13, 2009, 06:42 PM

We are missing the details of your situation but I'd agree that 4000 gallons was a lot. How long was the billing period and does you water meter show the pointer spinning 24/7?

Fr_Chuck · Jan 13, 2009, 07:13 PM

Is that 4000 dollars, or 4000 gallos.

Milo Dolezal · Jan 13, 2009, 08:48 PM

Scharie, Let me give you bad news: The chances are that the meter is working just fine. They almost always do. It is a simple mechanism activated by flow.

Do this:

1. Monitor closely your daily use of water. Look at the red pointer in the meter dial to see if it is turning while nobody is using water in your house.

2. Become a scientist: keep daily log of your water usage. Take notes when you use water in your house, at what fixtures, and how long was water on. Count, how may times you flushed toilet. Compare with next water bill.

3. Ask your neighbors how much they pay for water. If it is close to your bill, then the meter may be correct. If it is way off, start investigating more closely.

4. Let your neighbors solve your problem for you: If you have main water shut-off valve for your unit, close it for the weekend. See if somebody in the building starts complaining that suddenly they have "...no water.." This method works best if you close main water valve while gone for several days, like going on vacation or business trip. You will see right away who is hooked up to your plumbing system.

5. Call Water Company. Explain your situation. They will tell you right away if the bill for your address is completely out of ordinary or not. They keep daily/monthly/yearly usage averages for each household.

I would not trust HOA at all. They are not experts. It is more-less on you to resolve this issue on your own. Please, come back to let us know what you found out.

KISS · Jan 13, 2009, 08:54 PM

Water meters count air too. Air is normally not a problem unless you might be sharing a community well.

Clough · Jan 14, 2009, 02:00 AM

Well, howdy neighbor, Scharie!

Small world...

I couldn't help but notice your post.

I did read the article about this in the local paper and tried to post a link to it where it was on Quad Cities Online, so that others might have more information who have or will come along here to help you. However, I realized that it has now been archived there and is only available for members now.

I wish for you only the best!

Thanks!