Problems with City Water Department

[Eric Herman]

Hello, 

We run a small building and have been having problems with our water bills. They are too high, $72 in charges without even turning a faucet on. We have problems retaining tenants because of it and it seems the city has been increasing fee's and costs on us. I am not sure if it is the same with other multifamily in the area, I will be asking around next week.....

Recently they have told us that they are going to increase the service charge by an additional $190 for each unit because they feel like they have to come out to the building too often? Can they do that? I thought that the city had to apply all fees equally in the area....we have to pay this bill otherwise our water for the building gets shut off.

Is there any form of recourse for us? Or any advice to help us resolve this issue? 

[Kishia Ward]

@JD Martin

Hey I’m from the area and if it’s City water they charge water, sewer/wastewater, storm water and sanitation in the bill. Couple those with the taxes, service charges and usage could be why it’s so high. WPB utilities are notoriously high. It’s just what it is. They provide trash services lumped in with the cost of the cans.

When I lived in my first investment, it was a 2/2.5 townhome and my minimum bill was always $65 with me rarely being home.

Below was a average cost with a tenant Including how they break down the bill fees and charges. I hope this is helpful

My old bill from 2012 when I had tenants read this

Residential water

Service fee $20.40

Usage: $11.80

Utility tax: $3.22

Residential wastewater

Service charge: $11.43

Usage: $16.85

Residential sanitation

Garbage & trash : $16

Recycling: $2.35

Residential storm water

Service charge: $3.84

Total bill: $124.18