Who’s At Fault, Me or The City???

[fat rat]

Last week Prescott water Division came out to replace my water meter, not at my request. Yesterday I received a letter from the city of Prescott. It stated that I was experiencing high water usage. They listed a bunch of items to check, i ran the list, found the leak. The leak was right at the meter. I called my plumber, he came out and corrected the problem. At $400.00 do I eat or go after the city.

 

[zhandfull]

Backside of meter is you.

 

[shintoooo]

Water meter is usually on city property so I think they’re responsible for anything on city property. Hopefully you took pictures and a video for proof. Call them and tell them know you River Dave and then send them the bill.

 

[Sawtooth]

If it’s after the meter shutoff (your side) you are responsible, if it’s on the meter side
(before shutoff) water department/city is responsible.

 

[Cray Paper]

If the leak was caused by the city replacing the meter, they should eat it. If the leak wasn't right at the back of your side of the meter, you own it.

 

[shintoooo]

You had no leak before they changed your meter. Don’t take no for an answer. $400 buys a lot of gas when Trump wins.

 

[monkeyswrench]

They messed up...proving they messed up may cost you more than the 400$ though. 400 bucks is 400 bucks though. I'd give them a call and feel them out before I gave up on trying.

 

[Javajoe]

Call Risk Management at the city and tell them you need to file a claim. Also contact your city council person who presided over your Ward (Neighborhood) they will get the ball rolling. They want your vote next election. I’ve done all this and it helped tremendously.

 

[LHC Kirby]

You had no leak before they changed your meter. Don’t take no for an answer. $400 buys a lot of gas when Trump wins.

this I totally understand the side of the meter thing. But they changed the meter, my first phone call would have been to them - not a plumber.

 

[Outdrive1]

I think I would have called them out instead of a plumber.

 

[DLC]

Hope you have video or at least pics of the problem, I’d just go down to the water department…. Most likely they will wave the additional water usage ! Average your old water usage….

If not ….

Loosen the bolts on their side of the meter then call in again and complain about the new water leak ….

Then circle back about the crap workman ship! And send them a BILL for $800. That will get their attention…..

 

[Ziggy]

If the leak was right at the meter then with the plumbers clear documentation of the repair they should cough up the dough. File a claim.
.
.
Beyond that, I get those annoying notifications if I take a long shower but mostly when I adjust the sprinkler settings for different seasonal watering times.

 

[FreeBird236]

I worked at a Water District for over 20 years and while technically you're responsible for anything on your side of the meter, it's obvious they caused the problem. I think they'll wave the water charge I know we would. Not sure about the plumber's charge it would need to be inspected to see what was done. You can aways fill a claim and see what happens, maybe a sharing of charges.

 

[Rajobigguy]

Why didn’t you call them once you discovered where the leak was?? It may very well have been their installation of the new meter that caused the issue but you didn’t give them a chance to make it right so recovering your plumber’s cost is going to be an uphill battle. They will likely adjust your bill to account for the excessive usage but I don’t know if they will just rollover for the plumbing charge. Of course it doesn’t hurt to ask .

 

[RiverCruiser]

Ontario city changed out our meter and shut off valve. They cracked the pipe right after the meter. I didn’t find out until I received the next utility bill that was 5 times my normal bill. They repaired it without a fight since they had just worked on it.

 

[fat rat]

If the leak was caused by the city replacing the meter, they should eat it. If the leak wasn't right at the back of your side of the meter, you own it.

The leak was within 6” of the meter.

 

[fat rat]

I think I would have called them out instead of a plumber.

I did call them out and was told by city officials it’s my problem!

 

[Javajoe]

That’s why you file a claim. They always say that. It’s pretty easy

 

[CLdrinker]

My city replaced my meter and created a leak on my side. Trip to
Lowe’s and an hour of work problem solved.

 

[Hardly Satisfied]

Sounds like you should fight it. Sounds like you haven’t had any issues with water usage and now you do and on there’s a leak by the meter

 

[yz450mm]

The leak was within 6” of the meter.

What was the actual problem? Was it the connection to the meter on your side?

 

[rivermobster]

Last week Prescott water Division came out to replace my water meter, not at my request. Yesterday I received a letter from the city of Prescott. It stated that I was experiencing high water usage. They listed a bunch of items to check, i ran the list, found the leak. The leak was right at the meter. I called my plumber, he came out and corrected the problem. At $400.00 do I eat or go after the city.

How fucked up is that!?!?!

Id absolutely go after the water division first. Escalate if necessary.

 

[Cooter01]

I would call them, usually they will take care of it as long as you have receipts and proper documentation. They have work orders on there end time stamped down to the minute with who performed the work and everything else. I would fight it, heck at $40 an hour that is a 10 hour work day. Worth it to me.

 

[stephenkatsea]

We’ve had a couple of irrigation leaks in LHC. They sent notifications for each. There was a time they’d reduce your bill depending how much you were beyond your average usage. But, that was only because our sewer charge was once based on water used. That’s no longer the case. But, they’re still nice people at that department.

 

[fat rat]

What was the actual problem? Was it the connection to the meter on your side?

Yes it was.

 

[Orange Juice]

Let’s just hope they have pictures of it not leaking before they started?

 

[DLC]

This side looks a little chewed up…

That would be the side towards the meter

 

[Spudsbud]

send 'em a letter. couple pix. explain politely.
dont hold.your breath, but.maybe.

 

[SoCalDave]

This side looks a little chewed up…

That would be the side towards the meter

View attachment 1439098

Outside of the hex don't mean shit. Their "Guy" fucked up and didn't seal that thread properly or most likely crossed threaded it causing the leak. Go after them for your troubles and as others have stated get your regional city council rep involved. It makes noise.

Edit: possibly looks like a split thread from Bubba over tightening the ball valve...