Repair added to my water bill

Mosey · May 16, 2003

Re: Repair added to my water bill--resolved

Way to go Ron! It's nice to see "the system" is not infallible. You also probably helped the next guy who would not have had the tenacity to put up a fight.

MikePA · May 16, 2003

Re: Repair added to my water bill--resolved

I'm trying to learn something for future reference...

For those of you who feel the water company should pay (actually all the other water customers get to pay) for this repair, why do you think that?

Again, just trying to understand the reasoning behind this conclusion.

Bird · May 16, 2003

Re: Repair added to my water bill--resolved

Mike, I'm not sure we have enough information. I would assume that the water company installed the meter box and lid, in which case I think it should have been installed flush with the ground. Now I've seen some errors in installation. I've also seen some meter readers who didn't put the lid back on right (although if it had the transponder I don't know why a meter reader would have removed the lid). And of course, I've known of consumers opening the box to either read the meter or turn off the water, etc. and not get the lid back on right. So, with only the information we have, I'd say the damage would not have occurred if the meter box and lid had been installed and closed properly, so the customer does not pay. Now of course if the customer was the one who last removed the lid and didn't put it back right, well, that's a horse of another color. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Molerj · May 18, 2003

Re: Repair added to my water bill--resolved

The lid has been loose for quite some time, I don't know why. They no longer open the meter just drive by & aim some gizmo at it to get the reading. Now why the accusation of me tampering with it? Well, a while back my reading went from averaging around 6000 gal./month to a 7400 reading & the next month 9400. Wow, something wrong here. I checked lines for leaks nothing. Called the water dept. to ask if the meter could be reading wrong. She said probably not, but they can check it & if it is ok there will be a 55.00 charge. I told her I would check for leaks again first. I remembered that I had the humidifier working for the winter months. It works off of the oil furnace blower & I had the furnace blower on a good bit of the time since I was burning the woodburner & it helps circulate the air. Yep, that was it. Now move ahead to my phone call several months later for the broken wire. From the attitude of the people I talked to, I am sure they mistakenly thought I was trying to do something to lower my water bill. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gifHence, I think that is why they wanted to charge me for the mishap. Now, I may be all wet here but that is how I got it figured. When I called & was accused of tampering I kinda got a little PO'd. If the commisioner would have said he agreed with the charge I would have grudingly paid it & went on /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif Our county water system has been the discussion for the last ten years around here. The bill when I first built 13 yrs ago was 19.50 for 3000 gal. & something like 2.00 for every 1000 over. It has now gone to 35.00 for 3000 & 5.00 for every 1000 over. (No sewage) Many have questioned the management & the running of the dept. I guess my lesson learned is don't call & report it next time.

Bird · May 18, 2003

Re: Repair added to my water bill--resolved

( lid has been loose for quite some time )

Surely they fixed it right this time, didn't they? /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

( drive by & aim some gizmo at it )

I learned a few years ago that a few utility companies (gas companies that I was told about) can drive by at 30 mph and get all the meter readings recorded into a hand held computer that they then go back and download into the computer at the office.

( Many have questioned the management & the running of the dept. )

Past or present? I used to be on the board of directors for our water company. We sure made a lot of enemies when we raised the rates because they had been artificially low and previous management had simply let the system deteriorate to a dangerous level because they'd spent all the money they had. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

WVBill · May 19, 2003

Re: Repair added to my water bill--resolved

I believe that if the meter box was in a lawn area then it should have been designed, installed, and maintained by the water company such that it could be mowed over by the homeowner without damage. The meter and the box are property of the water company. The homeowner should have the expectation that it is properly maintained and secured - he/she has absolutely no responsibility to maintain water company property.

If the box lid came loose when the homeowner mowed over it then the water company should be liable for damages to the mower not vice versa.

If you drove over a manhole cover in the middle of the street and it broke and the resulting impact messed up your car suspension should you be liable to pay for the broken manhole cover? I think not.