Asheville, N.C. — An Asheville resident, Robert Ahern, has been left astonished after receiving a water bill nearly 18 times higher than his typical monthly charge, prompting him to seek legal counsel. The unusually high bill exceeded $1,100, an amount Ahern described as comparable to a mortgage payment, leading to a significant dispute with the City’s Water Resources Department.
Despite receiving a partial adjustment that reduced his bill to over $635, Ahern remains frustrated. “My usual water bill tops out at around 61 dollars. Now, to see a bill for $635 is just shocking,” he remarked. The drastic increase in billing is part of a larger issue affecting residents across Asheville, linked to a failing city infrastructure.
City officials have acknowledged the problem, revealing that Asheville’s water meters are failing at an alarming rate. With plans to replace all 63,000 units by 2025, the city is currently in a transitional period where manual readings are necessary due to the failing meters. “It’s conceivable that a faulty reading could have occurred given the known issues with our meters,” admitted Ahern, questioning the accuracy of his high bill.
Clay Chandler, a public information officer for the Asheville Water Resources Department, expressed regret over the inconvenience caused by the outdated meters. “As the meters age and fail, we are forced to rely on manual readings, which are more time-consuming and susceptible to error,” Chandler explained.
The undertaking to replace the meters has been slow, leading to widespread confusion and frustration among residents. However, Chandler remains optimistic about the future benefits of the new system. “We are dedicating every resource to expedite this project,” he said, noting that the new meters will have a lifespan of 20 years, significantly improving upon the previous models.
Despite the city’s efforts, many, including Ahern, feel more proactive measures could have been taken to prevent such billing surprises. “The city should have had a preventative maintenance program in place or done spot checks to avoid these issues,” Ahern argued. His dissatisfaction underlines a sentiment felt by many in the community who are now questioning the efficiency and reliability of the city services they depend on.
As far as Ahern is concerned, this ordeal has highlighted the need for greater accountability and responsiveness from local authorities in managing essential services. With his attorney now involved, it remains to be seen how the city will address not only his grievances but also the broader implications for other residents facing similar issues.
The episode serves as a critical reminder of the challenges cities face in maintaining aging infrastructure and the potential impact on residents when systems falter. Moving forward, Asheville’s commitment to overcoming these hurdles will be under close scrutiny, especially as the community calls for more transparent and preemptive measures in utility management.