Water bills

[fenicedautun.livejournal.com]

My building got the new water meters about 7 months ago, and (as expected) the next bill showed high usage to "true up" since we'd had estimated readings for the 2 years prior. However, this past bill (100% on the new water meters) shows usage higher than the previous bill (which was the "true up") for all units in the building (for me, it's more than 3 times what my usage was on the estimated bills). Does anybody else have this? Is this normal?

Comments

[vonelftinhaus.livejournal.com]

Yes my water bill has increased-actually it increased an odd amount. The mid June reading was 6800 and the mid Oct reading was 11400? Over the past 5 1/2 years being here the amounts have been consistent, up until these new meters, also the same people and number have been here for 2 years now.


I did go down to the water dept once after I got the new meter and they do have an "estimate" chart of what a home with a certain number of people should have for usage. The statement from the water dept employee was perplexing though-stating the new meters were faster? As in the new meters work correctly Or did the old meter work incorrectly/slower? Idk what that is suppose to mean but the water usage in the house here has not increased dramatically but my bill has increased so I want my old meter back if you ask me:)

[siderea]

Not what you asked, but this sounds all kinds of fishy. I believe the law in MA specifies that a utility may not have estimated readings for more than 6 months, and that no "true up" can be for more than 5 months usage. Call the Department of Public Utilities, Consumer Division to ask. 1 877-886-5066 or 617-737-2836.

(Fenice?? Do I know you from Carolingia? Are you back in the area? I didn't know you had an LJ.)

[ron_newman]

Does that apply to municipal water systems, as opposed to privately-owned utility companies?

[fenicedautun.livejournal.com]

Yup, I moved back to the area a few years ago.

[fredrickegerman.livejournal.com]

Reassuring to know I'm only the second-to-last one on the block to get the memo. :-)

summer watering

[hiddenbear.livejournal.com]

Could it be from watering of plants/lawn? Our summer bill is normally higher than other quarters.

Re: summer watering

[fenicedautun.livejournal.com]

Nope, that's on one of the other meters. And I'd believe that my bill was higher, but this is a great deal higher.

[lunarcamel.livejournal.com]

Our gas bills and electric bills were abnormally high, turns out it was because we were paying for utilities that weren't ours! The only reason that I don't know about water bills is because we don't pay them, otherwise I'm sure I'd have experience with that too.

/bitter

[vintaged-lust.livejournal.com]

How did you find out that you were paying for utilities that are not yours? I have a sneaking suspicion that I am paying to heat the water in the basement for the washer that the other 3 units use even though I don't use it (there is one in my individual unit).

[vonelftinhaus.livejournal.com]

Basically you have to follow the pipes or wires. Possibly easier when it comes to electricity; make sure everything, I mean everything is turned off in your house that you know is your and see if your meter is still runnin

[frolain.livejournal.com]

The last poster had a good point, might as well try to compare the number against the meter. Also maybe a toilet or something started leaking water lately. Watch the meter when you know nothing is using it to see.

[dahdahdahdancer.livejournal.com]

Personally, I just think they're evil. After my new meter was installed, I got a whopping high bill. I complained according to their directions (written, timely, included the facts, etc., etc.). And my previous bills were *not* estimates so I knew the high bill was not an adjustment. I never heard from them at all. My bills are once again normal. But they rooked me for sure. I wrote to my alderman. He ignored me also.

[barry-rafkind.livejournal.com]

I assume you are referring to your Ward Alderman? Which Ward?
You've also got 4 Aldermen-At-Large to whom you can complain.