I might have had more empathy for Tony Hill had I already seen my most recent water bill.
I saw Hill at the March 4 meeting of Batesville’s mayor and aldermen. He asked questions about the city water and sewer department’s meter reading schedule.

Hill has been receiving monthly bills for his home’s water and sewer usage that varied considerably, he told city officials. One month’s meter readings would reflect far fewer days of use than the next, making it difficult for him to budget.

The irregular schedule will cease soon, city officials replied, when installation of automated water meters has been completed. Installation began late last summer. The installation contract will soon be finished. Water bills should then consistently reflect usage between 28 and 31 days, they told the city water customer.

I was reminded of the city hall discussion when I returned to New Orleans last Friday to find that a $206.48 water bill had arrived at our house. (The total also includes the $24 monthly garbage collection fee.) My water bills usually run $60-$70, never higher.

Surely, I thought, there must be a mistake. Either my mistake, as in not having paid for the last three months, or theirs, as in misread meter.

But no, they told me. My bill was correct. My meter had not been read since December. The bills for the next two months had been based on minimum usages of 3,000 gallons per month, and when they finally read the meter on March 3, they added to that bill the overage from the two prior months. Huh?

Plus, there was an across-the-board 10 percent price increase that went into effect in February.
I’ve got a feeling that if I am going to keep the water on at my house I am going to pay this bill.
Good luck, Tony Hill. Hope your bills smooth out and become predictable.