How did this happen?
After receiving the bill, McClure immediately contacted the city, expecting them to say there was a mistake. Instead, she was told she needed to hire a leak detection company — at her own expense. So she did.
Leak detection specialist Gary Bonar came out to inspect the property. Not once, but twice. His verdict?
"I don’t have an explanation why they could use a whole lot of water and then it stop. I mean if there were several neighbors pools they filled or something, you know that’s — it’s just so much water. I don’t have an answer for it," he told ABC Action News. "I don’t see any signs of the water anywhere."
The amount of water usage didn’t make sense, either. McClure’s mother’s home used enough water to fill more than six swimming pools — even though the house doesn’t have a pool. Despite spending $300 for a leak detection expert, McClure still didn't have answers — and the city refused to back down.
McClure tried appealing, arguing that no one lives in the home and that her family checks on it regularly. But when she showed up to the Utility Billing Review Committee meeting, she was hit with another shock — the $4,000 bill had gotten even higher.
"I said, well, I'm here for the May bill. And they said, well, now the bill is $9,900 and something because the same scenario happened again in August. Even with more water usage," she said.
Her appeal was denied. The city’s response? Take legal action.
Meanwhile, other St. Pete residents are coming forward with similar stories, and city council members are demanding answers.
"What if we really did make the mistake?" Council Member Deborah Figgs-Sanders asked during a city council meeting. "What if it really is on us? We need to own it."
The city council has temporarily halted water shut-offs and late fees while investigating the number of people affected.
It also came up with some proposed changes on Feb. 20, including more flexibility with City Code, to dig deeper into how they can help those affected in the community until they get to the bottom of the issue.
Attorney Matt Weidner has since hopped on the case for free to work towards helping McClure’s mother and the rest of the community.
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Learn MoreHow to avoid a similar water bill nightmare
No one expects to wake up with a five-figure water bill. In McClure's case, there may be extenuating circumstances.
If you know for a fact that something is way off, ABC Action News says to check for leaks and apply for an adjustment. If it turns out there’s no leak, you may want to dispute the bill with your local utility company.
Leaks and watering grass can lead to sky-high bills due to the way some cities charge for sewage usage. A few precautions can help protect you from unexpected water bills.
Monitor water usage regularly
Don't rely solely on autopay to pay your water bill. Instead, check the bill every month and look for unusual spikes in usage.
Many companies provide daily usage reports that help you spot errors. Compare the meter readings on your bill to the numbers on your actual water bill to make sure they match.
Set up alerts with your utility company
Some water providers allow customers to set alerts for abnormal water use.
These alerts can notify you if your property suddenly uses more water than usual, allowing you to investigate before your bill skyrockets. If your water company offers an app, consider installing it; this can make spotting errors simple.
Ask for a smart meter
Some cities are replacing standard water meters with smart meters, which make it easier to spot leaks and track water usage more accurately.
If your city offers these, consider requesting a replacement. This can improve your ability to spot increases and help you conserve water where possible.
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