We were not aware that we had a (massive) leak until the water company shut our water off. After some investigating, we had a busted water main (about 3 ft in the ground, underneath the sidewalk) and paid $650 to have it fixed. Today, we received a water bill for $1,109. With a copy of the receipt from the plumber, will this be waived? Our normal monthly water bill is $30.
2007-09-12 07:17:38 · 13 answers · asked by Holly C 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
There was no pool of water in the yard, no indication of a leak of this severity
2007-09-12 07:33:36 · update #1
It depends on where you live, it couldn't hurt to ask, but don't be surprised if they won't waive it.
Where I live, you are responsible for everything inside of your property line (or the property line of where you are renting or whatever). This means that the city is only responsible if there is a leak in the part that is on their side of the line.
So, it depends also on which side it was on. My parents once got a huge settlement from the city, because the city's side of the line had a huge leak that flooded our basement and ruined a lot of stuff. They paid for new carpeting and for the valuable things that were lost. Had that leak been on our side, we would have been responsible for the losses, although there is a chance that the homeowner's insurance may have covered it.
I think you probably get the point.
Anyway, what I would do is go down to the office where this bill is from and talk to them about the situation and find out what they are willing to do about it. Be prepared though, they may actually require you to pay it -- but I bet they would let you put it on payment plans so that you could pay extra on each bill instead of paying the full amount all at once if you don't have that kind of money.
Good luck!
2007-09-12 07:28:35 · answer #1 · answered by animal lover 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you said it was under the sidewalk... find out if it is on your property or the city's.. this can be done by verifying your location plan (came with the deed of sale and the certificate of location when you bought the house) also, find out if any major work has been done to the street as the leak may have been caused by city workers.
i do not see how the company could have kept a record of how much water has leaked because the counters are usually inside the house, or at very least , on the exterior wall. Find out if they can trace the exact date the water started leaking.
Unfortunately not many companies will accept to waive any fee, (they're in a BUSINESS) i think the best you can hope for is to hash it out with your city councillors.
Good Luck!
2007-09-12 08:10:25 · answer #2 · answered by sandy t 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Inside the water closet there is a tube that the water is running into that goes to the drain if your toilet is running this is designed to keep it from flooding your house. Yes it could cause your water bill do go up that much. If you have another toilet in the house turn the water supply off at the wall and use the other. There are a couple of things that could be wrong the float could have a crack in it and is not shutting off the valve or the petcock in the valve could be leaking.
2016-05-17 22:43:55 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Before you do anything, check with the engineering department at City Hall and ask about where your line begins and the city line begins. We had a massive leak under the sidewalk, too, and when the plumber determined it was broke under the tree lawn (space between sidewalk and street) the city had to pay for all the water lost. From the sounds of it, though, the water went through your meter so they might balk at the idea, but it wouldn't hurt to at least call and ask.
2007-09-12 07:26:00 · answer #4 · answered by Jess 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is it possible that the bill you were sent wasn't just for water, but for the repair?
Example: Phone company investigates a problem. If the problem is on 'your' side of the box, they fix it, and bill you for the work.
If the water company investigated, and then repaired a leak on 'your' side of the property line, they will have billed you for the repair. There aren't many organizations qualified to repair a problem like that -- and fixing it promptly prevented further damage (like road collapse, etc.)
If it was on 'your' side, and you were billed for the repair, it may be worth submitting to your homeowners or renters insurance. However, any claim you make will cause your insurance rates to sky-rocket, and may make it difficult to get insurance even at your next residence. Weigh the costs!
2007-09-12 08:55:14 · answer #5 · answered by Sue 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ha. Was that a joke. If the leak is after the shut off valve that is your responsiblity. The water company is almost as unforgiving as the gas company. Didnt you notice the pool of water in your front yard? You can try calling the city and the water company but your not going to get very far.
Good Luck. Be persistent and angry.
2007-09-12 07:31:11 · answer #6 · answered by Brian M 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Since you had to pay for the repair, the fault was on your pipe. The best you can expect from them is for them to give you the wholesale (their cost) rate for the water used during the leak. You should be able negotiate this. Other companies have done it this way. Good Luck.
2007-09-12 15:11:07 · answer #7 · answered by len b 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not likely. If your water company bases the bill on water and sewer bill combined, they may forgive the sewage portion. Talk to them. Most are willing to discuss options and give good customer service.
2007-09-12 07:24:53 · answer #8 · answered by sensible_man 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the city owned the part of the pipe that was broken, you should not be responsible for it. Go to city works and find out.
2007-09-12 07:25:29 · answer #9 · answered by ♫ Sweet Honesty ♫ 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Obviously it was broken on your side of the meter so it is unlikely that they will do anything for you. You can try your homeowners insurance.
Sorry
2007-09-12 07:54:29 · answer #10 · answered by Dan H 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋