By Lindell J. Kay | lkay@springhopeenterprise.com | 252-265-8117
SPRING HOPE — A local businessman upset over a high water bill ended up unsuccessful Monday night in convincing the town board to forgive the debt.
George Godwin, owner of a downtown antique furniture store on Nash Street, received a $913 bill for nearly 55,000 gallons of water used during the month of March.
Godwin said the average swimming pool is 18,000 gallons.
“There’s no way I used 50,000 gallons of water in one month,” Godwin said. He produced a letter from a plumber stating no leaks could be found in the building.
Godwin said he had the plumber replace all the faucet values and toilet flappers anyway, at a cost of $190.
Town Manager Jae Kim said town staff had followed the adjustment policy and knocked off $470 from the bill. When there’s a leak, the town removes the sewer usage portion of a bill since the leaking water wasn’t treated at the wastewater plant.
Godwin’s usage went from 53,000 gallons in March to 10,989 in April to 80 gallons in May and even lower after that. Before the spike, Godwin’s water bill for the building was low, Kim said.
Godwin suggested town commissioners wouldn’t have to pay such a high bill.
“If it were one of you, it would be a different story,” Godwin said.
Mayor Buddy Gwaltney said his mother’s house recently went through 8,000 gallons in four days due to two leaky toilets. Gwaltney said he will pay the bill.
Commissioner Prudence Wilkins said she knew someone who had a similar issue and paid the bill. She said the process needed to be fair.
Commissioner Brent Cone said he recently had a leak and will have to pay for it.
“It’s maintenance, and we’re all responsible for it,” Cone said.
Godwin said he doesn’t believe so much water could go through a building without someone knowing.
Kim said Godwin received fair treatment and that the building had a new meter installed just two years ago. Envirolink, the company contracted to perform the town’s public works, checked the system to ensure the meter is working properly and the town wasn’t at fault for a leak.
Godwin said there’s no indication there ever was a leak at the property.
“I feel for you,” Gwaltney said. “I feel your pain.”
Wilkins said she wishes the board could help, but it has to be fair.
“We all understand when it comes to that amount of money, but we followed the town’s protocol,” Wilkins said.
Cone asked Kim if a payment plan could be set up for Godwin since the bill fell within COVID-19 time frame.
Godwin said he can afford to pay the bill; he just shouldn’t have to do so.
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Spring Hope: Resident must pay abnormally high water bill - Spring Hope Enterprise
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