$15,000 Water Bill, Reminds Residents to Monitor Their Meters
A Forks resident recently walked into the city’s water department with a $15,000 monthly water bill. While it may sound like the setup to a joke, the man took it in stride, sharing a chuckle with the Forks Forum and inspiring this article and a look at what can go wrong with your water meter! Fortunately, he knew he didn’t owe the hefty sum, but his experience serves as an important reminder to the community: water meters can have issues, and keeping an eye on your bill each month is essential.
Forks Public Works Director Paul Hampton recently shared some insights on the city’s water meters and what can go wrong. The City of Forks still uses a combination of manual and automatic meters, though efforts are underway to upgrade outdated models. “Each year, we budget about $30,000 to upgrade and replace meters,” Hampton said.
Water meters, like all equipment, can malfunction. Sometimes they get stuck, which can work out in the customer’s favor or against them, depending on whether the meter freezes on a lower or higher usage rate. “Meters can also be misread, and eventually, they just wear out,” Hampton explained. He emphasized the importance of regular monitoring by customers to catch any discrepancies early.
Upgrading to modern meters offers multiple benefits. According to Hampton, the newer meters make the city’s work more efficient, cutting down the time it takes to read meters from three days to just one day—weather permitting. These new meters are designed to “go to sleep” when not in use, reducing battery usage. “When we drive by to read them, that’s when they’ll send out the signal,” Hampton said. Battery life can be 15 to 20 years!
Hampton stressed that the city’s primary focus is improving the water system and replacing faulty meters. “We’re always on the lookout for water leaks,” he added, encouraging residents to report any suspected issues promptly.
The bill may have sparked a laugh, and an article but the situation serves as a reminder: water meters are an important part of household management, and keeping an eye on them could save you from a hefty surprise.
