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-   -   Ridiculous Water Bills (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=793216)

  • May 30, 2014, 01:41 PM
    Mrscarr
    Ridiculous Water Bills
    The facts:

    I have a 950 square ft house with 1 bathroom-no dishwasher, no pool, no sprinkler system, no watering the grass. Two adults, three kids under four years of age.

    Water usage readings: (gallons)
    02/06: 11,000
    01/06: 9,000
    12/06: 28,000
    11/06: 50,000
    10/06: 57,000
    09/06: 28,000
    08/06: 10,000
    07/06: 9,000
    06/06: 15,000
    05/06: 20,000
    04/06: 22,000
    03/06: 18,000
    02/06: 17,000
    01/06: 15,000

    The serial number matches the meter. Two certified plumbers from two different companies confirmed there are no leaks. The private water company says the meter is accurate per the company they hired to test it.

    My water bills are in the hundreds of $$ and I just got through paying $900 for my last bill. The water company will not give me a break on any of the bills and REFUSE to replace my Sensus meter.

    I read my meter 4 times a day and record the usage. Last night while everyone was asleep, according to my meter, we used 105 gallons of water.

    I barely make enough money to put food on the table and it is becoming VERY difficult to keep paying my water bill, especially when I am not even using the water. I thought maybe someone is stealing my water while I am sleeping but I don't know where they would be keeping these thousands of gallons.

    The private water company forces me to attend their board meetings and when I do they are extremely defensive and unwilling to work with me.

    Please tell me someone can offer me advice? I believe it is my meter but they say its not. What else can it be?? There is only one water company for my community and what they say goes-sort of like a monopoly.
  • May 30, 2014, 02:51 PM
    smoothy
    Sue them? Let a court sort it out.
  • May 30, 2014, 03:43 PM
    ballengerb1
    Tonight, read the meter and close off the main. See what your reading is in the morning. It should not have changed. Do you have a water softener?
  • May 31, 2014, 06:48 AM
    speedball1
    Quote:

    The private water company says the meter is accurate per the company they hired to test
    There's no doubt in my that you have a faulty meter. DEMAND that it be replaced. If they balk I would get a good lawyer and sue. Let me know how this plays out. Good luck, Tom
  • Jun 1, 2014, 12:58 PM
    Milo Dolezal
    Just in case: If you have sprinkles system, it may leak, or it is not timed properly and it runs for extended period of time. You may not notice it especially if they go ON early in the morning, you have larger property or while you are away... Also, once before I have ran into a neighbor who accidentally tapped his sprinkler pipe into neighbor's water line and was using his water for years.

    Let us know how it was resolved. Back to you. Milo
  • Jun 1, 2014, 02:13 PM
    joypulv
    Just in case it turns out to not be the meter:
    My father's meter was at the road, 300' from the house, on a 3' high pipe sticking up out of the ground, and was leaking there. He had to fight to get it discovered, fight to get it fixed, and fight to get his bill adjusted.
    Also, make sure the kids aren't letting the toilet handle run. That can triple usage.
    Lastly - a neighbor tapping into your supply?

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