I have a water bill question

[Shane Burke]

I just purchased my first duplex in April.  When doing the inspection on Jan 31 we found the outside water faucet was turned on… just a trickle but definitely running. Ground was soggy and was wet in the basement under the open faucet!   We turned it off and made a note of it in the inspection. I closed on April 4 and everything has been good with the tenant that the open faucet was feet from there front door. They Pd rents on the 1st of every month. Fast forward to now and I received a $725 water bill, from April 4 to June 28. Water/sewer sent water usage and it was 2 to 3,000 gallons used every day for the month of April.   May 2nd the water use dropped to 150 to 200 gallons a day for both units!   The unit with the water faucet outside there door, are in the process of moving out this month.   I have there $575 security deposit.  Last owner didn’t raise rent. I’m working on that. So my question: Would I legally be able to keep the security deposit to help cover the water bill, given that we found the faucet on previously?    

[Henry T.]

Quote from @Theresa Harris:

Unless you can prove they turned it on and left it on, unlikely. They should have been more attentive, but honestly if the tap on the side of my house was open, unless my neighbour saw it, I wouldn't know it was open.  I did have the water company for a rental call me as they couldn't get hold of the tenant and the water was constantly running.  Tenant said the flapper valve on the toilet sometimes stuck-she paid the bill and arranged things with the water company...but in this day and age I'd like to think the water companies would alert users if there is a massive and continuous spike in water consumption.

 Ha! An alert would be great. My water company only pays a visit if you're not using water. Saw them on my security cam poking around, turning on outside faucets, and checking the street meter.  I called and asked what's up? They said they were concerned I wasn't using any water.

It's vacant but actively watched over, but using very little water. I had been busy doing other projects and this place was on the low priority. But still found it odd that they burn employee time for no water usage. Why the F don't they contact me when tenants don't pay their water bills? Instead of poking around my property when the water bill is fully paid?  Actually made me angry.  Grrrrrr.