We want to know what's weighing on your mind and your wallet. Let us know the water conservation, use and rate questions you want answered, the issues and topics you'd like UCAN's Water Blog to look at.
We promise to do our best to get back to you!
Have questions about water conservation, rates and bills? We'll get answers
Post to Twitter
Like what you see? Go ahead and show your support! UCAN is a truly independent non-profit watchdog organization, dependent on grassroots donations like yours!
Utility Consumers' Action Network - (619) 696-6966
Terms and Conditions
UCAN.org is made available by the Utility Consumers' Action Network to assist you in becoming what you always knew you could be: a consumer ROCK STAR! We take no corporate money, and are beholden only to you, the consumer. As such, the site is here for educational, advocacy, and empowerment purposes, as well to to give you general information and a general understanding of the law. Just remember this site is NOT here to provide specific legal advice. By using this web site you of course understand that there is no attorney-client relationship between you and the Web Site publisher, UCAN. The Web Site should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.
That said, get to digging on the site, inform yourself, speak your mind, and earn Watchdog Bones! This is YOUR site, and we mean it. So comment on any of the content, discuss the latest issues in the forums, file a complaint on a company with the Fraud Squad, and generally cut loose.
See our Terms of Use, Privacy, and Copyright complaint policies as well as our Content Reuse Policy, Some Rights Reserved. Remember, if you have any questions about copyright law or need legal information regarding intellectual property, the internet, or new technologies, visit our affiliate New Media Rights at www.newmediarights.org. If you are in the San Diego region, you can also can apply to use New Media Rights' multimedia studio and equipment for free.
set water bill
i lived in apartment in Austin who had a set water bill of 57$ a month. is it possible for them not to read the meter and just have a set fee? there was no prior agreement in the lease that said such billing would occur??
Why can't I get a straight answer?
I called the water department about, what I thought, was a simple question. We compared our bill to a neighbor's and noticed that we were being charged $3.49 for the first 14 HCF while our neighbor was charged $3.41. This was for the billing period of 7-8-2010 to 9-8-2010. I was told it was because we went to the 3rd tier, which we did. I asked him why would going to the 2nd and 3rd tier affect the first tier rate. I told him I could understand the 2nd and 3rd rate being higher that the 1st tier, but the 1st tier rate should be $3.41 because that was the base rate. Then he told me there was a rate increase in July and a decrease in September so I was charged both rates. Everytime I told him that didn't sound right he would tell me I was missing the point. Our % change for that billing period was -40.6 and my bill was still $283.00.
I just want a simple answer to what I thought was a simple question. I should know better, my husband warned me not to call. He said I would get nothing but double talk and he was right. If my question isn't too confusing, maybe you can help. Thanks
Paying for Sewer when No Sewer Line is in Use?
The City of San Diego Ca is suing me for a large amount of money because they say that even though my sewer line was broken (documented) for a year and half, and even though I was not living on the property, the line couldn't be used I still had to pay a monthly rate of $90. I paid for the first half year until it hit me that "What was I paying for?". I have tried several times to get them to understand that the line was broken, not in use,,,etc., but they keep stating "After review of previous years billings, we find that the amount in question is within a normal range for use". Duh, previous years it was in use then it was not. I am now living on my property again and am trying to get the water turned back on, of course, they want a VERY large deposit and I have to pay the money they are suing me for. Any suggestions?
extra billing charge?
I just moved to VA and when I got my first water bill I noticed several extra charges. I understand the connection fee and taxes and even the extra charge to pay by credit/debit card. I don't understand the extra "billing charge". The company charges an extra $3.50 each month to cover the cost of printing and mailing the bill. Isn't this supposed to be figured in their operational overhead? I worked for a municipality in GA that supplied water and we never charged extra "billing fees". These came out of our overhead because they were part of the charges that we could include when we filed our taxes. Bill preparation costs (labor), materials, and postage used are taken as deductions - correct? Is this legal to charge extra billing fees to the customer?
Post new comment