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Updated over 6 years ago,

User Stats

19
Posts
9
Votes
Ryan Weddle
  • New York, NY
9
Votes |
19
Posts

Help with a water bill / leak

Ryan Weddle
  • New York, NY
Posted

So I closed on my first property (a duplex in Louisville, KY) and am in the process of getting it rent ready. I just got the first water bill that seems to indicate a pretty significant leak (or error) and I'm not sure what my next step is. The property is unoccupied and the inside water main has been off for all but 4 days of the billing period, but the bill shows 18,000 gallons of water usage in 50 days.

One of the two units was occupied by 1 or 2 people in the months prior to closing, and the bills for those periods leading up to closing were for 10k-17k per period. If it was 2 people and the billing periods were about 60 days then that seems on the high side but not crazy. 

I called Louisville Water Co. and they confirmed the start and end readings were "verified", but I don't know what that means. My first guess is that the alternative is "estimated" in cases where the meter couldn't be read for some reason.

I live out of town but just had a friend go in and confirm that the water is off inside and there's no sign of a leak. The outside faucet was also off; when turned on it just dripped a little, so I think the inside main also cut it off and it just hadn't fully drained. She said the cover to the water meter was bolted on so she can't see if the reading has increased since the reading on the bill. Louisville Water said they could send someone for another reading "in the next 10 days".

What do you think my issue is? Leak between the meter and the house? Meter reading error? 

And what should my next step be? 

Thank you!

Ryan

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