Never Ending Water Company Woes

Thorn in my side.......

2011-05-01T20:05:00.001-07:00

There is only one thing worse than getting a giant rude yellow disconnection notice laced with threats of shut off and reconnection fees - without first having been sent something resembling a notice of late payment (you know.....hey, we haven't received payment yet - would you mind sending over X amount of dollars to get this taken care of - if you've already taken care of this - please disregard this notice and have a great life)......................

and that's getting one when you've ALREADY PAID THE BILL

Disconnection notice (I HATE these obnoxious "in your face" notices they send - as if we were all dead beats trying to duck out of paying our utilities)

Here is my bank statement showing that I paid the bill on the FIFTH of April.

New Water Meter

2011-04-02T08:23:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, March 30th the water company installed a new WiFi readable water meter. Trying not to be negative, but it's hard after what I've been through with this company. I also have read so many horror stories in the news about these meters returning crazy readings where customers get $3,000 water bills. The past months have been issue free, and I'd stoppe reading the meter regularly. Back to reading the meter regularly. Starting reading on the meter on March 30th was Zero Reading Friday April 1st was 70 I have noticed that, since they installed the new meter, the kitchen sink no longer drips and the chicken coop spigot drips about 80% less. I wonder if this is because the water pressure was previously too high - or that because of the installations going on the pressure is just lower for now. Not sure, but it is weird to get back out of the habit of taking the "drip water" out to water the roses - and then needing to haul water out to the chickens. :-)

2010-04-05T17:57:00.000-07:00

Got my water bill today. I can't post it because my computer crashed at home (will post later)

It's a little messed up due to the new meter.

Previous reading 493
Current reading 1 (assuming thousand....)
Usage 1 kgal
Bill 38.38

That is, I'm assuming $35 for the privilige of getting water - and $2 for the 1kgal - plus tax etc.

Maybe we're on the way to regular reading again - one can only hope.

Will keep the journal posted.

2010-03-15T09:19:00.000-07:00

Last week I left three different messages for Renata with no result (no call back - no email). I could have sworn she'd told me she was a Customer Advocate and that I could count on her to assist me with any issue.

Today (10:15am) I called the generic customer service desk. Hold time less than 5 minutes (awesome for a Monday)

I spoke with Melissa. I briefly explained my issue - that my bill shows me owing the amount that was disputed and there was a late payment fee. She looked and told me that the only balance she showed was the late payment fee.

In order to not have the hassle - I paid the $4.55 to her via my debit card (confirmation # 210495 ). It's just not worth it to me to argue over that.

We'll see how it goes from here.

2010-03-12T09:49:00.000-08:00

This morning Mr. Holiday came out at 10:35am. I normally leave for work at 10:45, but I walked out to the pasture with him so I could show him the leak and ask how to read the water meter.

To my relief it's not what I thought. The dial that I thought was showing hundreds of gallons is actually the "10th" position. So when it goes from 082(1) to 2031 which it did in an 13 day period - I'm used 1210 gallons - which puts me on track for using 2793 gallons a month - or about 3-4,ooo a month . This is what I was averaging before this whole fiasco started. (the higher amount in summer if I had to use non-well water in the garden)

Mr Holiday tightened the nut on the pipe connected to the meter. He said it looks like the leaking is on the company side (though leaking water is an issue no matter who pays for it).

I bade Mr. Holiday goodbye -

Hopefully all will be well from here on out.

2010-03-11T07:28:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we went out to check out the water meter, and we noticed that it is leaking. Not sure how much, but the ground is wet.

I called the water company this morning on the repair line. The rep was Renata - I asked her if I've spoken with her before. (same name - but this rep wasn't very friendly - very curt). She said she didn't think so - and how can she help me.

I told her the water meter is leaking and she said someone would be out to look at it. I asked her if someone could show me how to read the meter because I don't know how to read this new one. She said she'd log it in her notes. I asked her what she meant. She said she'd let the water guy know I wanted him to show me how to read the meter - and, if I'm home, he'll show me. Okay....I guess. Just seemed like it would be nice if someone would ask what hours I'm home to as least TRY to make this happen.

Seems like every time I have contact with this company I am disappointed.

I called the number for the "first" Renata (not toll free so .10 a minute) and left another message to call me. The first one I left on Tuesday regarding the bill. I asked her to please either email me or call me on my telephone and leave a message. Neither was done. Again I asked for her to please call me and let me know she got the message or email me.

Shit. I hate this.

2010-03-09T09:40:00.000-08:00

Today I called Renata to let her know I got the bill, but it's still incorrect (though moving in the right direction). I got the voicemail. I explained the situation, and I asked her if she could correct the billing (they billed me for the incorrect amount from last time again - and put on a late payment fee as well). I asked if she would please call me and leave a message letting me know the status - or email me (I gave both my phone and email address). I work 11:30am-9pm in a call center - so there is no way to contact me during that time.

2010-02-28T09:00:00.000-08:00

I finally made it out to my mailbox today, and there is a new water bill.

As expected - it's screwed up; however, it appears the readings are looking correct.

They are still insisting on the amount they overcharged me last month (perhaps my conversation with them didn't come in time for the billing dept to make an adjustment?), and they are charging me a late fee.

I guess I'll have to get on the phone this week to speak with them about it. sigh......

New Water Meter

2010-02-27T12:02:00.000-08:00

I was just in the back property turning off the water main (leak in the backyard spigot) and noticed there is a new water meter.

This is all fine and good but.....

How un-customer service friendly the water company is for not bothering to even hang a tag on my door telling me this was done - and giving me the ending reading of the OLD METER and the new reading of the new meter. Argh!!!!!!!

So, now - when the next bill comes - I have no freaking idea where I stand.
Nice.

I read the meter at 82.
I don't know how long it's been in, but it can't have been that long.
It would have to be sometime between the 5th of February and the 26th.

2010-02-23T10:00:00.000-08:00

Last night there was a message on my answering machine from a Ms. Renata of the water company who asked if I would call. It wasn't a toll free number - so I have to use my cell phone, and I hoped I didn't stay on hold like I usually do (T-mobile to go 10 cents a minute adds up).

This morning, after having breakfast and a little meditation to brace myself for negativity - I dialed the number.

Ms. Renada listened to everything, and she said that she received the email (the one with all the attachments to documents showing what a hosed up mess this whole thing is). She told me she can see that something is amiss and that she will investigate - and get to the bottom of it. Best of all - she said she'd call me and tell me what the problem ended up being.

Please let her be the one who can resolve this once and for all.

2010-02-23T08:11:00.001-08:00

2010-02-22T08:10:00.000-08:00

Called the water company today to find out the latest - and to talk about the recent Termination Notice.

Called at 9:15am
Rep picked up at 9:31am - spoke with Deborah

I asked if I could speak with Simona, and I was informed she is no longer with the company (figures).

I asked Deborah to please review my account. She said she does see that Simona asked me to pay $36.36, but she doesn't see an adjustment made to the account - and since Simona is no longer here - she can't check on it (how convenient for the company).

She said she would, now, do an adjustment though.

I asked to speak with a supervisor.

Jose came on the line (I've spoken with him before, but this time he seemed to be more interested). He apologized, and he said he would push the adjustment through. I asked him if he knew what was causing all this, and he said he didn't. I told him how frustrated I was and that I attached information with my bill but it seems to fall on dead ears. He told me his manager is familiar with how everything works, and he might be helpful. I asked if I could email him. He gave me his name and then the dreaded csc-customercare@xxxxxx email. I said ummm - no, I emailed this address twice without a response. He said I should try again. ugh.

2010-02-20T07:23:00.000-08:00

Heh......

Today my bank sent me notification that my payment check was submitted. It cleared 2/19. I sent this check to them on the 9th.......

Also this morning I got an automated message from the water company saying they got the email I sent them last night - and that someone would contact me within 1 business day (right....they said that last time, so we'll see)

2010-02-19T21:21:00.000-08:00

Today I got yet another notice of service termination. In Neon Yellow again - and with their usual stern language.

I have yet to hear back from this company in reply to the email I sent (I addressed it to the customer service dept. AND three reps at the company). Not even a reply to say "hey, we got your email, and we're looking into this". Shameful.

Oh yes, and they haven't cashed the check I sent on the 9th to pay what I owe for my bill. I checked in my online banking - it isn't there. My husband said I was stupid for not sending it registered (won't make that mistake again - I'll do it electronically or send it registered.

So anyway - the document will appear below, and here are links to all the documents regarding this issue:
DOCUMENTS FROM 2009
DOCUMENTS FROM JAN 2010 TO PRESENT

I'll call on Monday and deal with the termination notice as well as find out what's up with my last payment (if I was a conspiracy theory person I'd wonder if they shredded that check just to make me look bad......but I'm not that kind of person). I am also going to begin composing a letter to my Representative Edmund Kuempel. Maybe he or his staff could at least tell me how I can get myself heard to some authority figure that oversees these water companies.

I really am so pissed off right now. Here it is 11:41pm Friday night and I'm writing this because I can't sleep over the stress this is causing me - - and I have to be at work at 8:30am tomorrow. I just want to scream.

2010-02-09T20:54:00.000-08:00

Today I mailed my bill & payment of $36.36 along with the complete package of paperwork of everything that has gone on so far (including copies of documents) and a letter to the water company. I can't believe I didn't send it registered mail (Marcel told me I should have). I just feel like I've wasted so much time and money so far - - it's not fair I should have to fork over even more just to make sure these people get my stuff. I haven't paid by check in a long time. Jeez, I hope I'm not sorry......

I also sent an email today to the customer service email address Simona gave me along with a public relations person for the water company (found her email off their website. I attached a link to this blog. Hopefully someone is listening out there and will help solve this.

Another Visit From Mr. Holiday

2010-02-04T20:21:00.000-08:00

The meter reader came this morning just as I was leaving the house for work (10:45am). As much as I wanted to - I couldn't say and read the meter with him. I did stop to chat briefly. It was Mr. Holiday again - he's done all the re-reads from the beginning. I feel like he's an acquaintance at this point. I said "welcome back" and it's ridiculous we have to do this each and every month. I asked him if he knew what the problem was (I'd asked him this before).

He said he thinks he will request a new meter be put in. This might, somehow, solve the problem. I told him that I thought the problem was that nobody is reading the meter. He said he didn't think that was the issue. I told him why, then, is the incorrect amount from the previous month being used as the beginning reading the next month (even after a re-read is submitted) - then a completely bogus number being put in as ending - month after month after month. He didn't answer - and I didn't have time to discuss it with him (though I would have liked that - he's nice, and he seems to be sincere).

So, here is the reading - pretty much as I though (though we are off by 1k - probably since I read the meter 2 weeks prior - and/or the rounding up process - - I think he originally was going to put 492 and scratched it out and replaced it with 493 - - either way, it's nowhere near what the bill is showing).

Talking with Simona

2010-02-02T19:20:00.000-08:00

This morning I called the water company. I have to say - I was dreading it. Everytime I call I have to explain the situation - and usually over and over because the person on the other end doesn't seem to "get it".

I spoke with Simona today.

I started the conversation by asking her if she has my account up - and would she mind reading through the log notes so she could understand what's going on to date. She wanted to know what she was catching up on. I told her my readings have been off for several months now, and eacgh month I have to call and request a re-read - then hassle over getting my bill fixed so I will pay the proper amount.

Simona said there was no record of the re-read done on January 13th. She said she saw that a re-read was done - but no figures were in their records as to what that reading was. She put me on hold to contact dispatch to get the reading. (apparently the data is not getting uploaded to the system).

She said it is not possible to adjust anything in the record until the reading comes back. Then - I'll probably, once again, get a bogus bill - and perhaps another re-read. She can put an extension on the account, but I should understand that is only guaranteeing the water doesn't get shut off - it is a band-aid .. not a fix.

She scheduled the re-read. I asked if the person could come before 10:30am so I can talk with them. She said she'd put the request in (but can't guarantee it).

Her advice to me is to email the customer service with a complaint explaining the situation. (she gave me the address). She said this is the way to get this situation actually resolved. Calling each month to patch an incorrect bill isn't going to solve anything.

She said I need to pay the base charge before the deadline. She told me the amount is $36.36. That's before any water (which is, I think, $2 per thousand gallons). I offered to pay for what I think I used for water (based on my readings), but she said it would make things simpler by just paying the base - then paying for what they determine water usage is when they determine it. I am guessing this is going to result in another one of those "you didn't pay" bills - but she said it - and I am told they record all their service calls.

So, I am going to get all my docs scanned (most already are) and I will compose an email. Maybe I will give a link to this blog - it has most of the pertinent information in it.

Well, it's something.
Let's see what happens.

Here we go (yet again) :-(

2010-02-01T03:41:00.000-08:00

Got my water bill in the mail today.

Remember how we established that the CORRECT ending reading was 491 last month - then there was the talk with the rep who assured me that everything would be straightened out on the next billing?

Today's bill...............

Previous Reading 579 (sigh - they never changed it to reflect corrected ending reading)

New Reading 596!!! (I went out to the field and read it at 492 on the 22nd of January)

THESE PEOPLE ARE NOT READING MY METER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Adding insult to injury they are showing me a balance due of $16.60 from last month carried forward because I didn't pay the incorrect bill last month (you know, the one that was CORRECTED??????). Fuck, this just makes me want to drive over there and thump some people on the head.

AND..... they are trying to charge me a "late fee" of $1.66

New bill $2.36
They say I used 17 THOUSAND gallons of water when, in fact, I used 1 thousand.

I've decided to scan all documents to date and post censored copies of them (keeping intact copies in a private folder on Photobucket). This includes bills, meter "re-read" documents etc. etc. - and, if I can figure out how to do it - I'll recored phone conversations as well. I'd like to sue for emotional stress - or at least to recoup the time and energy I'm spending on this each month due to those morons' incompetence.

So, here is the latest bill (some info blacked out for privacy - even though I'd love to plaster that companies name and phone number on billboards and sides of buses saying
BEWARE - this company will make your life a living hell
I'll share un-protected documents if I need to - and in any packages I put together to send to the company, the better business bureau, any consumer group I can find, and my local government rep (this is a public utility afterall).

(I guess you can click on this to see it larger)

2010-01-25T12:21:00.000-08:00

Checked the reading yesterday - 492

2010-01-14T11:12:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, after I got home from San Antonio, there was the blue ticket signifying the reader was at the house. Reading....... 491 No surprise there.

Billing period 12/15/09 - 01/15/10

2010-01-11T16:14:00.000-08:00

I'm back.................

Got my bill the other day.

It's wrong.

Again.

It was at that moment I decided to start this blog.

Bill shows meter reading previous 567 (remember it was reread at 487 last month)

Bill shows meter reading current 579

I waltz out to the far corner of my property (in the freezing cold.....34F in Texas, so I'm aggravated as it is) - and read the meter It's reading 491 (that's four hundred and ninety one......rounded up)

They say I used 12k in the bill (and if their beginning figure was correct they'd be saying I used 92k) when, in fact, I actually used 4k.

Because I'm cold - and I've been working overtime for the past week, and I miss my husband, and I'm generally a little stressed out....I sat on this bill until Monday (I received it on Thursday).

1/11/10 Monday

11am - Called the water company. Sat on hold 12 minutes and had to hand up because my first break is only 15 minutes

3pm - Called the water company. Sat on hold 14 minutes when Debra answered. I asked her if she had my information on her screen. She said she did. I told her I had two issues. First issue was the fact that the previous reading should have been changed with the re-read. She put me on hold for 3 minutes (yay for stopwatch function on my iPod Touch) - came back and said she'd need to research this with her manager - I could call her back later. I told her I would call her tomorrow morning, but I wanted to give her the other issue now because I had to get back to work. I told her to please schedule yet another re-read because the current reading is wrong. Explained I walked out and read 491 on the meter. She said she'd arrange for a re-read.

1/12/10 Tuesday

9:49am dialed the number and went through their hoops of entering acct info and verifying acct info

9:51am - got put into the que to speak with a rep (put on hold). Auto sytem says estimated wait time 8 minutes.

10:14 - Got off hold. ACTUAL wait time 23 minutes .....

Spoke with Gwen. She said that Debra arranged for a re-read and it could take 3-5 business days for them to come out. I told her I estimate my usage at 4K gallons based on my (correct) meter readings, and I'd like to pay for that usage.... is that possible. She said it was, and that she'd figure it out for me. Base price for the privilige of having the water pumped $36 a month + $2 for every thousand gallons used + 1% feel for some agency that's required = $44.40 water bill. I paid, and she put an extension on my due date so they don't shut my water off for not paying the $60 something they say I owe before the numbers can be adjusted. Still nobody knows why the ending meter reading wasn't changed to reflect the correct numbers.

Hopefully this is it for this billing period....... we'll see

Billing Period: 11/15/09-12/15/09

2010-01-11T12:51:00.000-08:00

Meter reading Previous showing 482
Meter Reading Current showing 567

They are saying I used 85 THOUSAND gallons of water

$$ amount they say I need to pay them......wait for it...... $199.98

(does someone not reality check these things???????>???????) (sorry.....I'm okay now)

I hiked out to read the meter 11/27: It reads 487 (rounded up)

Unbelievable. I think I was so upset that I just sat on the bill for awhile. I just want it to stop you know? I'm tired of having this same freaking issue month after month after month.

I want so badly to know what the heck is going on. Is the meter reader on drugs? Honestly, I don't think they are reading these meters monthly. I think they are doing a numbers or averages game to save the cost of labor required to physically read the meters.

December 7 (Monday)
Called and spoke with Linda who scheduled someone to come and re-read the meter.

December 10 (Thursday)
Mr. Holiday again showed up at my doorstep to read the meter. He, again, gave me the blue receipt with service order #76-160-2. The reading: 487 I asked him why my meter keeps getting read wrong - again, he said he didn't know. He said he'd turn in my info to the company.

December 14 (Monday)
Called to get new $$ amount due (I, wrongly, assumed they would act quickly on the discrepancy). The auto system say..... $199.98, so I asked to speak with a rep (dang, forgot to get her name).

She also said I owed $199.98. I told her that my meter was re-read and I'd like to pay the correct amount. She said I had to pay the $199.98 and it would be corrected next statement. I said NO! (about that loud - rude, but I was totally on the edge at this point). I didn't have $199 extra to give them firstly - second, it's almost 5x my normal bill - it's ridiculous to expect me to pay outright for a mistake this large.

I asked her if she, at least, had record of the reread. She said no. I asked to speak to a supervisor. Jose came on the line - from his demeanor at the beginning I could tell he wasn't going to be motivated to help me (I am a call center rep - I know a monotone voice and robotic responses means)

I explained that someone came out to re-read my meterm, and it's 487 NOT 567 and I want to pay my water bill - but only what I owe. He asked me who read the meter. I said a rep from the water company. He said - what was his name? Hell, I don't know! (I didn't at the time) (he told me to calm down and not be rude..... I suppose I was a little uppity due to the prospect of being required to pay $199 for a water bill that should be $40. -

I told him it's the same guy who read me meter last time it was read WRONG - can he look in my records. He did and the name was Holiday. I then remembered to tell him I had the blue re-read card and offered him the work order # that was on it - he looked it up.

He asked if I would call back to get the new total - I told him I work in a call center and this is hard - could he email it to me. He said he would.

He emailed me the total that evening just like he said he would.

12/15 Tuesday

1:05pm - Called to make automated payment of water bill (last night Joese emailed me the total). The automated system still said $199.98. Opted out to speak with a rep. Stayed on hold for 16 minutes and had to hang up because my work beeak was over.

3:00pm - Called water company back. Requested to speak to a rep. Stayed on hold 26 minutes (I kid you not). I'd forgotten to bring the email giving the new total to the cafeteria. I asked the rep if there were notes regarding my situation. She said no.......(argh!!!!). So, I proceeded to explain the situation and said I'm ready to pay the new amount, but I don't have it with me - could she ask Jose. She put me on hold (4 minutes - not too bad) and came back and told me it was $38.38). I told her I'm ready to pay - and she started to transfer me BACK to the automated system to pay. I said "Stop" - the automated system is asking for $199.98. She said I could opt to pay a different amount. I said okay, and she transferred me (I've paid with a rep before - kind of felt pushed back to the auto system - but, to give her the benefit of the doubt...she might have been wanting to help the next person if they were busy). p.s - forgot, again, to get the reps name

I paid the $38.38.
(If only that would be the end of my nightmare)

12/21/09 Monday
I receive in themail a TERMINATION NOTICE from the water company dated 12/18/09. It shows amount past due of $161.60.....last payment amound $38.80. Basically threatening to shut off my water if I don't pay their balance due by 12/28/09. This on neon yellow paper, and I loathe people who make emphasis with underlined bold.....
Payment of the PAST DUE amount.

I really don't need this harrassment. I did my part - made the phone calls - waited on hold - went over and over and over with reps the situation - finally get it resolved and PAID MY DAMN BILL WITH THE CORRECT $$$ AMOUNT..... why can't they just............

Be professional and do their job?....... I ask you ..........Why can't they???

12/21/09 Tuesday

9:05am Called the water company. Andrea answered (very nice, professional, and a gift from heaven). She said that a credit was issued on December 14th of $161.60 - but to be on the safe side - she'd put an extension on my account until the end of the month (so they don't go ahead and shut my water off anyway) - and she'd followup to be sure the service isn't shut off. To the point, professional, friendly, and she seemed to genuinely care. This is not the customer service I've gotten until today - I appreciated it. I sent a letter to the address on my bill praising her - hope they give it to her.

Billing period 10/15/09 - 11/15/09

2010-01-11T12:47:00.000-08:00

I did not receive a statement for this month; however, the recording is showing a credit.

I may request a statement for my records.

Billing Period: 9/15/09 - 10/15/09

2010-01-11T11:12:00.000-08:00

Previous reading shows: 519
Current reading shows: 547
Bill amount: $92.92

10/6 Spoke with Diane. She said they modified my account but it isn't showing on the bill. She transferred me to billing. (wish Diane worked in billing.....). While I was being transferred I got put back in the que - and the automated system said I had a 48.48 Credit on my account currently and I have no balance due.

I assume at this point that the issue is resolved........

Billing Period 8/15/09 - 9/15/09

2010-01-11T09:13:00.000-08:00

I opened up my water bill expecting a credit, and what I got was a water bill of $78.78!

Previous meter reading showing: 498 (same INCORRECT ending reading from last month)

Current meter reading showing: 519

I trot out to the back pasture and went to read the meter myself

Meter reads: 479

(I also received dozens of chigger bites in the process, and had to go take antihistimines for a week until the itching and swelling finally subsided. It was misearable.)

I must say - I was enraged.

Once I had the reading I called to talk to them about it.

Sept 9 (Wednesday)

called and spoke with DIANE. She got in touch with a field rep who said he would read meter and tag the door on Thursday - and that he would come out the following Wednesday (my day off) and show me how he read the meter. (he offered this because I was concerned that I might be reading this meter wrong - which is accounting for the discrepancy between my readings and theirs. I know how to read the meter....just wanted to cover all my bases)

Nobody hung a blue tag on my door Thursday...................

Sept 14 (Monday)

called again to let them know that nobody came out to read the meter. She said she would check and call me back. Nobody ever called me back (to be fair - I was in and out most of the morning), but I called them later - rep said that the field rep would be there on Wednesday to both read the meter and show me how he reads it.

I paid the bill - again, not wanting my credit history to be screwed up due to this situation - but I was seething mad about it this time.

Sept 16 (Wednesday)

called in the mid morning to see when the field rep would be coming to read the meter. Rep said she'd try to get ahold of him - and she'd ask him to call me. Field rep did call me to say he couldn't make it because there was a water main break in Boerne - but he would come on Thursday (18th).

Sept 17 (Thurs)

Called field rep (holiday) direct - to see if he read the meter (I work on Thursday, so I didn't know - called from work). He said sorry, he didn't because it was raining. He told me that he would, for sure, come the following Wednesday.

Sept 23 (Wednesday)

Field rep (Holiday) came to read the meter finally. Marcel was home, and all three of us walked back into the field to read the meter. He read the meter, and I showed him the water bill reading (wich was MANY THOUSANDS OF GALLONS off). He shook his head and said he wasn't sure why there was such a discrepancy. Perhaps the company had the wrong meter #.... He willed out the blue tag and gave it to me. He put the meter # on the tag. I asked him if he would take care of the correction to my account. He said he would submit the paperwork, but I better followup.

Kept and still have blue tag from the reading:

Read date 9/16

S/O# 736325

Reading: 480
Mrt Serial # 98646805

Person reading meter: Holiday

Sept 24 (Thursday)

I called the company and gave the rep the whole store to date. She said that the discrepancy info would be sent to the billing department, and I would be getting a credit to my account on the next statement.

Billing Period 6/19/09 - 7/23/09

2010-01-11T08:07:00.000-08:00

and so it begins..................................

When I receive the July water bill (payment due by 8/15/09) I was shocked to see a bill of $96.06. Shocked because my average bill runs around $40.

The bill shows Meter reading Previous: 468 Current: 498

I walked out into the "south 40" to read my meter - it read 476 (rounded).

I phoned the company and asked for a reading (I jotted down that I spoke with Diane) - explaining that my water bill is almost 3x higher than normal. They said they'd send someone out and the reader would leave a blue card with the reading on my door when they did.

Nobody ever left me a blue tag on my door, so I don't know if they came to do a special reading or not.

I went ahead and paid the bill because I didn't want a negative hit on my credit history, and I assumed that the situation would be straighted out when they read the meter the next time - and I'd get a credit. I was so naive.

Welcome to my Nightmare

2010-01-11T06:47:00.000-08:00

I've decided to create this blog to document the never ending nightmare that is my relationship with my water company.

My problems started in July. I got a much higher than normal bill (about triple) turns out (so they say) someone read the meter wrong. From there it's been one phone call after another every single month to get my bill straightened out. Up to AND INCLUDING December of 2009.

Matter of fact - I will be calling them today on my lunch break (and hope I can get through - I've stayed on hold with these people for an entire break period having to hang up, while still on hold, to go back to work.

Luckily - from the beginning I jotted down notes and kept records. Each month I got more and more detailed since I began to see that this was a serious issue that probably isn't going away anytime soon.

I'm not going to backdate posts, but I will put the month I blog about in the title until I get caught up. Then I'll blog as I go.