$11,000 Water Bill

[RobertBrown]

That looks like sch 10 pvc .....is it sch 10?
How long is the run?
What is the static pressure?

 

[RobertBrown]

I'm not sure what cross connection control is.

It's the term most water purveyors give to the method of preventing contamination to a closed system subject to connections with pressure higher than that of the water system.

 

[justinramani]

The run is about 1300 feet with a good elevation change (valley) in the middle. They used schedule 40. Attached is a picture of the pipe. I know that after the pressure reducing valve the pressure is around 60-70 psi.

 

[Billrog]

That was a small leak at the joint and the smooth hole is just warn that big and smooth from the leak looks like it's been leaking since day 1. That is good pipe I've had it buried in gravel for over 25 years now with no problem. I have repair a no. of water leaks wear the pipe looked like that just from the water pressure enlarging the hole.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

Thank you for helping protect our freedom.

I was on the board of directors of our rural water system for 25 years.

Our policy for excessive leaks such as yours was that if someone requested a water bill adjustment, they would be required to pay a 12 month average of their bill, plus all taxes on their bill. We would inform the customer that we would grant an adjustment only once in a lifetime, so if their bill was not too excessive, they may not want to take the adjustment.

Their request had to be submitted to the board in written form along with payment for the entire bill. If the bill was adjusted, we would refund their payment.

We would also consider each case and if we believed that the excessive bill was due to the customer's negligence, we may not grant the adjustment. An example of this negligence would be if the meter reader would inform the customer of a leak and the customer failed to repair it.

We never had an adjustment as large as yours.

Also remember that there is a cost to the water system to produce this water.

I would suggest your wife meet with the water system leaders and request an adjustment. And, as others have suggested, get the builder involved. If there is a 1 year warranty, it may be all on him.

If it ends up in court, sadly, it won't matter who is right or wrong, it will be determined by who has the best lawyer.

 

[CalG]

Then there is home owner's insurance.....

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

You're still under warranty.

End of discussion.

Builder pays.

All of it.

Plus, you get a new pipe installed for free, and you get it inspected before they cover it up.

Send your wife to the base legal office.

Done and done.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

That was a small leak at the joint and the smooth hole is just warn that big and smooth from the leak looks like it's been leaking since day 1. That is good pipe I've had it buried in gravel for over 25 years now with no problem. I have repair a no. of water leaks wear the pipe looked like that just from the water pressure enlarging the hole.

Abrasive swirling sand slurry! Make perfect sense. I couldn't understand why the hole looked like that. Thanks. :thumbsup:

 

[two_bit_score]

Looks like the plastic pipe melted. That is not a fracture or crack for sure. Seems to me somebody did not install properly.

I just had my water company (community well on meters) call me about abnormal water usage for the month. They monitor comparing last year's volume. Turned out I had a break in the PVC main line. 30 year old install. Water company gave me one time relief (once every 10 years) for paying the surcharge for the water. I would talk to you water company and builder. Maybe have an independent guy come out to inspect and determine cause. The builder won't be your friend most likely.

It's right at the joint too.

TBS

 

[4570Man]

That looks like 1" PVC? I don't think that pipe could carry that much water at that rate. Let alone the small hole.