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Fall River City approves nearly $18,000 in leak abatements; commissioners warn residents about toilet leaks
Summary
The Fall River City Water and Sewer Commission approved $17,963 in leak abatements, most tied to toilet failures, and noted nearly $60,000 in abatements so far this fiscal year.
The Fall River City Water and Sewer Commission voted unanimously to approve $17,963 in leak abatements, citing a high share of claims tied to leaking toilets.
Commission Chair Mister Clark told the commission the abatements under review have been checked by staff and appear in the meeting packet. “I would urge people to pay attention to leaking toilets, please. They are expensive when your water bill — in some cases was $5,000,” Clark said.
Under the commission’s leak abatement policy, staff presented 22 abatements for the board’s consideration; Clark said 20 of those were for toilet leaks. Clark also told the commission that the total abatements in the first six months of the fiscal year add up to “almost $60,000,” and that about 80 to 90% of claims are toilet-related. He later clarified that the figure was for the fiscal year rather than the calendar year.
The action was a formal vote to approve the abatements as submitted and examined by the administrator; the motion was seconded and carried unanimously.
The discussion highlighted two operational points: (1) recurring “flap valve” failures in toilets can cause continuous, high-volume leaks and (2) the commission treats leak abatements according to its formal policy. No change to the policy was proposed at the meeting.
The commission did not specify individual account numbers or homeowner names when discussing abatements.
Commissioners and staff urged residents to check toilet valves and to contact the water department if they suspect a leak.
