How can I dispute my water bill?

Question

On the 8th of this month the water company changed out my water meter. I was told they change them out every 6 years and it just happened to be my turn.

I get my new bill for the billing period 6-25-08 thru 7-25-08 and it is $106.92. There are just 2 of us in the house and they are saying we have used 13,780 gallons.

When I called to question this I was told I have a leak and/or other scenarios. That, had it been the meter at fault that “usually” it is in favor of the customer.

I have tried different things to see what causes the meter to run faster. Always, when all water is turned off the meter stopped running. If I have a leak shouldn’t the meter continue to run? The most we have ever used in the past is 5,000 gallons.

No one can use my outdoor water when we are gone because it is turned off/on from within the house.

This is aggravating. I feel I have an argument, I just don’t know how to go about it.

Answer 1

Ask to see the certification for the meter they have installed - this should give information about calibration and reading at the time of installation.  If you say you only use 5000 gals in one billing period, then, there may be two things wrong:

1.  The meter doesn't work properly

2.  You have a leak between the meter and the house - this could be due to poorly fitted meter in which case it's their fault.

Good luck

Answer 2

You can dispute the matter with the Public Utilities Commission, but first try working it out with the water company.  Your water usage should not have doubled within one billing cycle.  It is possible that there is a leak somewhere and the water company can monitor the new meter for that.  Go to the water company in persona and bring your previous bills with you.

Answer 3

I'd have a plumber check and monitor your flow for a week; and I'd call the State Public Utility comission office

Answer 4

Make another call to them. Most water companies have a trip of some sort on the meters that gets triggered when there is a constant flow of water to somewhere. Once they tell you that yours was not tripped, ask them again what happened.