Water Bill of $60,000 Shocks Homeowner; City Claims It’s Based on Actual Consumption
· Telemundo McAllen (KTLM)
A hidden water leak in a Fort Lauderdale home left a homeowner with a bill exceeding $60,000. The city in Florida insists that the meter accurately recorded the consumption, but the homeowner disputes the charges. Gisel Valdivia-Otaño, representing the homeowners, stated that since purchasing the property in 2024, the water bills had been normal, averaging around $114 to $120. However, this changed when she received an email on March 3 indicating an excessively high water usage. The bill then skyrocketed from $30,000 to over $60,000. According to the City of Fort Lauderdale, between January 24 and February 23, the meter recorded a leak of 1,140,000 gallons of water, equivalent to about 65 residential swimming pools. After discovering a broken underground pipe, which was repaired on March 27, Valdivia-Otaño submitted documentation to the city. Weeks later, she received a second bill for over $60,000, including the initial consumption and an additional 950,000 gallons recorded before the repair was completed. In total, the city billed for over 2 million gallons of water. Valdivia-Otaño contested the charges and received a credit of nearly $30,000, but she remained unsatisfied, stating she would continue to seek other options as she is still being charged over $30,000. The city explained that while they cannot erase the bill due to the consumed water, they can charge it at a lower rate to promote water conservation. Valdivia-Otaño insists she will not pay what she considers an unjust bill. Residents in Fort Lauderdale receiving unusually high water bills can request a review by calling 954-828-5150, and the city offers assistance and payment plans for those who qualify.
AI summary · Source: Telemundo McAllen (KTLM) →
