Water and Sewer in Jefferson County (Birmingham, Montgomery: apartments, how much, purchase)

[MAD King]

Hello,

I need a little help with my problem.

We moved in February 2008 in a community in Hoover. Our first Water and Sewer bill was $17.02 Water and $37.25 Sewer. Since then the bill was going up every month and we are now getting a bill of $26.81 Water, $67.12 Sewer and $3.00 Trash. The bill is coming direct from our landlord Engel Realty. We think that they raise the amount every month to make extra money. How can we controll what we are really used?

Thank you

[cpg35223]

Originally Posted by MAD King

Hello,

I need a little help with my problem.

We moved in February 2008 in a community in Hoover. Our first Water and Sewer bill was $17.02 Water and $37.25 Sewer. Since then the bill was going up every month and we are now getting a bill of $26.81 Water, $67.12 Sewer and $3.00 Trash. The bill is coming direct from our landlord Engel Realty. We think that they raise the amount every month to make extra money. How can we controll what we are really used?

Thank you

Well, I'd check in with the Birmingham Water Works Board and see what your actual charges are before questioning your landlord. In fact, you can probably get a listing of your charges since you moved in.

[MAD King]

Thank you. I didnt know where to go.

[Keeper]

The Realty company should make you a copy of the bills. You have a right to see them especially since you are paying for the water etc. I would probably tell them that you would like a copy for your records so you can track your usage rather than accuse of them of pocketing the money.

[Southlander]

My son has a 1-bedroom apartment in Five Points that is owned by Barber Realty. His water/sewer bill is sent to him by the realty company. Apparently there's 1 meter, and the company divides up the bill among all the residents. So in spite of the fact that he's the only 1 living there, he gets to help pay the bill for the apartments where there are 2 or more residents using twice and three times the amount of water.
No, it's not fair. But they haven't changed anything in 3 years.

[MAD King]

Originally Posted by Keeper

The Realty company should make you a copy of the bills. You have a right to see them especially since you are paying for the water etc. I would probably tell them that you would like a copy for your records so you can track your usage rather than accuse of them of pocketing the money.

Yes we get a bill from them. They own bill. It shows nothing how much on water we really use. Just our and their address, date and the figures what we have to pay. We are realy not wasting water. We try to safe it, but this is ridiculous.

I wrote the Birmingham Water Works Board. Hope they will send me some.

[mr.kerouacbellows]

I hear you. We live in Vestavia and our water bill has been up to $150.00. That's about $35.00 water and the rest sewage...

[MAD King]

Originally Posted by mr.kerouacbellows

I hear you. We live in Vestavia and our water bill has been up to $150.00. That's about $35.00 water and the rest sewage...

That's ridiculous. I am glad we are moving out of this State.

[muffinman]

Originally Posted by MAD King

That's ridiculous. I am glad we are moving out of this State.

Birmingham and Jeff Co. have a legendary sewer debt of 3 billion. I feel for you all. I have family in the area and most of their water bill is sewer.

Is the rest of the state as bad at managing their utilities? I sure hope not.

[harry chickpea]

It wasn't a question of managing the utilities, it was a serious lapse in judgment (more than that actually - positively STUPID is more like it) in investing the money that was being collected. I have a feeling that the state may have to step in and bail out Jeff. County, which will mean those who are connected to any water system may get tapped for bailout funds. We'll probably all need to scream at Montgomery to prevent something like this. The water board needs to go bankrupt and out of business for a day, and a new entity put in to replace it. In business, this would be called an asset purchase of an existing business, and it is done all the time. If the financial wizards get burned, GOOD.