“SUSPICIOUS circumstances” surround a senior resident’s dispute with council after he was billed more than $2900 for water in a three-month period.
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Having lived in the shire for more than 25 years, Ronald Bickley lives alone in Catalina and said he used an average of 61 kilolitres of water over three months.
In December 2010 he received a water bill for 860 kilolitres, 15 times his average usage, over a three-month period and was charged $2916.
“This amount of water cannot be accounted for by a leaky toilet or shower over the short time frame that the bill records,” Mr Bickley said.
Shortly before receiving the bill, Mr Bickley said his water meter was swapped by an unknown man who, when approached by him, while running up the street, admitted he had swapped his meter.
The man claimed he worked for council and it was policy to rotate meters every now and again to make sure they are recording consumption and working properly.
“I believed his face value until soon after, when I received my next bill and saw the astronomical amount I was being charged for water I obviously hadn’t used,” Mr Bickley said.
“I was home and was not contacted to be informed of the meter replacement, I just happened to see the man walk off my property with the meter to his truck that was parked all the way at the top of the street.”
The serial number that appears on Mr Bickley’s bill was changed when he received his next statement. Mr Bickley said his water bills averaged around $100 for a three-month period and had since returned to normal.
Council is still treating the $2900 bill as outstanding, charging 10 per cent each year it is not paid.
It has been almost three years now and the bill, with added late fees, is up to $3871.
Council has started the collection process and has engaged a company that has contacted Mr Bickley, who told them the case was still in dispute.
“I have paid every bill since then but think it’s highly suspicious and I will not be paying the water bill for water I did not use,” Mr Bickley said.
Council confirmed Mr Bickley’s water meter was replaced on July 15, 2010 by a council officer as part of Eurobodalla Shire Council’s water metre replacement program.
“All newly installed water meters have a start reading of zero,” the council spokeswoman said.
Council said the first period of water consumption at the property on the new water meter recorded a high reading and council officers immediately investigated this and found that the meter reading and calculation were correct.
“The owner advised council there were no water leaks on his property, therefore council must accept that the water was used,” she said.
“Council offers services to people who are having difficulty paying their council debt to help them find a solution but unfortunately, when no resolution is found, council has an obligation to move to recover the debt.”