Living in your home for five years without a water bill may sound like a dream to many homeowners, but for one Texas man, it’s turning into a nightmare. That’s because a Port Arthur resident says that the local water authority was unable to locate his home’s water meter for years, which kept it from correctly billing him for his water usage.
Not wanting to fall behind (or rack up a huge water bill), he says he went to the utility company several times about the issue, and tells local CBS News station 6 KFDM that Port Arthur Water Utilities instructed him to pay a flat $75 a month while they looked into the issue. However, he says that didn’t prevent him from having his water service shut off several times over the years, wreaking havoc on his life.
Now, he says his balance is continuing to rise each month due to late fees and fines, reaching $800.
With 6 KFDM on the case, the publication says this points to a bigger issue within the utility department, and that there could be more homeowners out there facing similar problems.
The Full Details: Local Water Company Was Unable to Read His Meter for Five Years
Dexter Antoine told the publication that the water company was unable to find his water meter almost immediately after he moved into his newly built home. “For five years, they could not find my water meter, so they were just guesstimating the bill,” he recalled, saying that the utility company suggested $75 a month as the estimated bill.
“I pay my bills, and I work hard,” he continued, explaining that he didn’t owe money to any other utility or lender, just the water company. “I just want this resolved.”
Unfortunately for Antoine, it doesn’t seem like an easy fix. That’s because the issues stem from an aging water meter system that the city is working on replacing, which includes 19,000 meters. While the attention to Antoine’s issue may help him get some answers—the publication says that it has contacted the director of the water utility company as well as the group’s supervisor—it highlights how easy it is for a homeowner to get stuck in bureaucratic red tape when massive changes are made.
What Should You Do If Your Water Bill Is Wrong?
While Antoine seems to have followed the directions he was given, it begs the question, “What do you do when you can’t get an accurate water bill?”
According to Bluefield Research, the cost of America’s water has been on the rise since 2019, and averages around $125 a month in the U.S. (this estimate includes sewer bills as well). If that number doesn’t match what you’re seeing on your utility statement, you should reach out to the company that handles your water bill directly to find out if something could be wrong.
Leaks, old meters, and even seasonal water spikes (like outdoor water use in the summer) can all cause changes to your bill. And while increased water use can be a valid reason to see your bill jump from the previous statement, those other reasons are worth investigating since they can add up to even bigger expenses if you don’t intervene.