Residents fight $1,000 water bills

PRICHARD, Ala. - The Prichard water war is still raging. Just this week, another resident opened a nearly $1,000 water bill.

Prichard resident Linda Blunt sits in her Alabama Village home. Blunt said a trip to the mailbox left her with a terrible headache, after she saw her water bill was $959.15. Blunt quickly called the Prichard Water Board and Sewer. Last month's bill was a little more than $61.

"I said the only people that stay at my house is me. And I got a cat named Missy and I know Missy wasn't running up no water bill," said Blunt.

Blunt's extremely high water bill isn't unheard of in Prichard. The United Concerned Citizens of Prichard has helped five families in the last three weeks with the same problem.

"We've been able to identify a problem, and they are being over-charged. The citizens of Prichard are being over-charged," said S. Campbell Morris.

The group met Thursday to discuss the water issue. It says there are only five meter readers in the city for the more than 11,000 customers, so there is no way for an accurate meter reading.

Blunt said it has to be a mistake on the water board's end. Blunt said she knows they didn't read the meter until after she complained, and they came out and dug up her meter.

"They left a mess in my back yard. The woman had to dust off the meter to even see," said Blunt.

Blunt said the Water and Sewer Board told her a leak caused the price to go up. So she called a plumber of her own.

"I paid $85 and I got a certified plumber and paid the money I didn't have, and he said I got no leak and this what I got to show them," added Blunt.

Blunt said there is no way she can afford to pay such a hefty bill. An attorney for the Water Board said if the meter is right, she doesn't have a choice.

"Assuming the meter was correct and there is no leak, then she is responsible.
Because that amount of water went into her house," said Willie Huntley.

The United Concerned Citizens of Prichard are planning to meet with the water board September 15. Members feels the only way to solve the problem is for Prichard to merge with the Mobile Area Water and Sewer System.

As for Blunt, she just hopes someone fixes the problem quick.

"Prichard just wants the money. That's all. I mean it is ridiculous, a $900 water bill?" questioned Blunt.