METAIRIE, La. (WVUE) – Metairie resident Keith Juneau wants answers after he said his utility bill was 10 times higher than normal.

Juneau is not alone. For months, several Jefferson Parish residents have shared with Fox 8 the burden high utility bills place on their budgets. Many question the accuracy of meter readings.

“One day, I’m on my couch opening my mail and there’s a $4,000 water bill. And it says I used 400,000 gallons of water,” said Ronnie Dalleo of Metairie.

Jamie Zwiener, also of Metairie, said, “When in south Louisiana you pay more money for your water bill than you pay for your electric bill, something is not right.”

In Marrero, Sharon Veller said, “I have to wait in line because there are 40 to 45 people ahead of me calling.”

When Juneau opened her bill, she thought it was a printing error. His bill said he used 83,000 gallons of water and owed more than $1,000. Typically, Juneau uses between 5,000 and 8,000 gallons of water per billing cycle.

“Do I have a leaky toilet? Do I have a broken water pipe? Do I have a pool? The answer to all of that is ‘No,’” Juneau said.

Juneau said she contacted three council members and the water department’s customer service line, but found no relief.

“Even the council people said I’m not the only one, ‘We know,’” Juneau said. “If you know, do something about it. “I don’t know what else to do.”

Sidney Bazley, director of the Jefferson Parish Water Department, said, “If a customer feels like they didn’t have a leak or they can’t find it and don’t know what happened, all they know is that the water was used and we have to follow up. ordinance and having to follow the rules and charge customers for what they use.”

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In 2022, Jefferson Parish implemented the first of a 20-year rate increase to address aging infrastructure. The bimonthly bills reflect higher water rates and an increase in garbage collection.

“When the reading is too high or too low, we will go out and check with another person and take a picture to verify that that is the reading,” Bazley said.

The parish maintains that it is best to call the water department if you believe your use is incorrect. Depending on the situation, adjustments or payment plans can be made.

According to Juneau, the parish reduced his bill after he purchased a part for his toilet, submitted a receipt and signed an affidavit. Again, Juneau said it doesn’t have any leaks and he didn’t make any repairs.

Juneau’s latest utility bill shows 4,000 gallons used in the last 60 days, compared to 83,000 in the last billing cycle.

The parish said it hired more workers to answer calls and wait times on the customer service line were reduced.

If you have a consumer complaint you would like us to investigate, call Fox 8 Defenders, staffed by volunteers from the National Council of Jewish Women, at 1-877-670-6397. Or click here to complete our online complaint formwhich is the easiest way to reach us.

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