Usually I’m here offering suggestions and solutions. Today, I’m just looking for answers.
First, the backstory: We are, without doubt, a water conserving family. We have water efficient appliances, have taught our kids to conserve and have put all of the best water saving tips in place. Our usual water bill runs between $45-$65 per quarter. The accompanying sewer usage fee costs us a fairly equal rate per quarter, so for this time of year, I was expecting a bill of just under a hundred dollars.
The bill arrived. (Hold onto your hats:) $260!!! Did I choke? Yes… I did. (And I also swore profusely!)
After 57 minutes(!) of waiting for a City of Cleveland Division of Water customer service representative they put my bill “on hold” and schedule a service appointment.
Yesterday the tech arrived, ran all the tests, said everything was in working order – no leaks, no problems detected - and that he would report his findings to the office. I was advised to call tomorrow for a “decision”. What EXACTLY does THAT mean?… a “decision”?
The interesting thing is that the tech also assessed our previous 16 months of bills and commented “Wow, your family really IS efficient!” According to him, a family of four typically uses just over 3 MCF units per quarter (this is the measurement of usage in cubic feet per thousand). He also says, when they are teenagers, it normally raises to 4! We have been consistently at, or just below, 2… yes, 2!
So what gives? Honest answer… I have no idea. And what are we supposed to do? The curious thing… my mother-in-law’s last quarter bill? $500+! This quarter? $1200! WHAT is going on with the Cleveland Division of Water? How do you battle what they claim is true when you simply know it cannot be?
Has this ever happened to you? What is the solution? Because this time, I have absolutely NO ANSWERS…
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I’ve constantly seen our water bill rise, while our usage remains the same. The simple reason is because people complain about new taxes, but if they get a higher water bill, they assume it was their fault for using too much. Funds are diverted from one department to another, and in the end, we pay more, but without new taxes.
My water bill also has a surcharge to cover the bills of people who don’t pay their own water bill. Confusing, eh? So not only am I paying for my water, but if someone else doesn’t pay, I’m paying for their water, too!
What tests did the Tech perform? Assuming that you have a municipal line (likely at the street) and your water is piped from that line, there are many opportunities for leaks. Depending on your municipality, you or the city can be responsible for paying for the water use, even if it is an underground leak.
1. double check your water meter yourself. your previous bill likely has the previous reading on it. check it now and compare in case it was misread for your bill. By the way, take your kids out to your water meter and show them how it works! They may even get in on some approximate calculations.
2. I hope the tech did this simple check: If not, request it or do it yourself (at your own risk).
One way to check for underground leaks is to turn the water off to your house (the “main”). Make sure all of your water using appliances are off and that your water heater is not filling up with water. After you know that no water is coming into the house, check your water meter. Still spinning? then you likely have a leak between the city line and your home.
3. Even if your service line has a leak, the utility co. will usually assume that you used the water unless you demonstrate otherwise. If the tech did not do this, request it or get a licensed plumber to take a “look” at the line and trace a leak. If a leak in the service line is detected, they can typically help you contact the municipality and provide a signed letter – it should get you a credit on your bill next. Your line may have a tracer wire in it, or it may require digging (I hope not – don’t dig unless absolutely needed). Most municipalities have a “leak adjustment policy” in either codes or on the water providers website. I will say, however that in these instances, leaks often cause a much higher bill (sometimes 10 x higher or more).
4. Is anyone stealing water? from an exterior spigot? is it a shared line?
Well Hello!
I went through this nightmare for 9 months last year. I spent about 60 hours going back and forth with the Cleveland Division Of Water. I even created a crazy little website. (Not too little. The Plain Dealer picked it up.)
Now, it’s starting again.
If you, or any one else want a chance at getting thnigs resolved, do the following;
1. Ask the Div. of Water to put your bill on hold, because you are disputing it. (By calling)
2. Send an email to customer service telling them that you disagree with the bill, and that it’s impossible that you used that amount of water. (You didn’t).
3.Go to http://www.AdjustMyWaterBill.com Comment and read the comments. The Water Company knows about the site
4. Do not give up. Drive them crazy.
Joel Libava
Joel Libava´s last blog ..Contact Information For Cleveland Division Of Water
By the way;
I doubt if you have a leak. It’s the water co. billing system’s errors etc. Lots of folks are experiencing the same thing. My bills went up 700% last year, until it was resolved.
Of course, the bill is wrong this quarter, so I’ll be wasting more of my time with this. Again.
Joel Libava
Joel Libava´s last blog ..Contact Information For Cleveland Division Of Water
Never had this with water but years ago had a similar issue with electric company. One month our bill doubled and we were told we were penalized for: USING TOO LITTLE ELECTRICITY the month before! Their basic “argument” was that if EVERYONE used less electricity, naturally, they would have to raise the rates because they would not have enough money to run operations! So if you use too little, you are penalized. I would have laughed but I couldn’t. Who knows what craziness you’ll turn up. Good luck!
Yikes that would be an unwelcome surprise! We are just starting to deal with a water bill ourselves in our new home so thanks for the giving me something else to worry about. :p
In my former townhouse we had a mix up with the electric company – it turns out they had been reading the wrong unit and charging us for their usage and them for ours – for three years!!! It took awhile for it to get straightened out but at least we came out a little bit ahead. You just never know with those utility companies – they can do just about anything they want and most people just go along with it. pretty scary. I hope you get your situation worked out.
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I, Unfortunately came across your blog Goolging “cleveland water bill wrong” because I, too, just received a $1300 bill! This is insane! I was hoping to come across your resolution to the problem because the city is CRAZY if they think we used 114,000+ gallons of water this quarter.
Good luck and let me know if you get things resolved!
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