Residents report locked meters, spikes in bills; city forms water-loss response team
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Summary
Two residents raised concerns about locked water meters and unexplained billing spikes of tens of thousands of gallons; City Manager Dr. David Orr said staff will investigate individual cases and a TW water-loss response team will assist affected customers.
Two residents raised water-service concerns during the Texarkana City Council open forum on Feb. 9, 2026, prompting city officials to pledge follow-up and highlight a newly formed water-loss response team.
Sheila Howard said she found her household water meter and her neighbor’s meter locked and that a single meter on her block had been spray-painted blue. “My water meter has been locked,” Howard said, asking why some meters were secured and others were not. Mayor (unnamed) said locks are commonly used to prevent tampering; City Manager Dr. David Orr said staff and the water utility would investigate and provide answers about why some lids are locked or painted.
Taylor Bradshaw followed up on a prior council appearance to report steep, unexplained increases in billed usage. Bradshaw said her historical usage averaged about 7,000 gallons a month but recent bills showed spikes to roughly 30,000–50,000 gallons in a month and short hourly spikes of “4 to 500 gallons an hour.” She said the water company installed an hourly-reading smart meter that showed many hours with no use and intermittent large spikes that the utility has not yet explained. “My water usage is what I’m concerned about,” Bradshaw told the council.
Dr. David Orr said the city held a public forum Feb. 2 where TWU and metering vendors answered residents’ questions and that the city has established a TW water-loss response team to provide direct, on-site assistance. Orr said the team had already visited Bradshaw’s home to help identify potential causes and that an updated FAQ is available at City Hall and on the city website with timeline information and billing components.
Council members and staff framed the matter as a mixture of individual cases and systemwide issues. The mayor asked residents to submit written contact forms to the city secretary so staff can log and track inquiries. The council did not take formal action beyond directing staff follow-up and public information; the city manager recommended continued monitoring and one-on-one support for residents with anomalous readings.
What happens next: the city has asked residents with concerns to provide details via the city secretary so TWU staff and the water-loss response team can investigate individual meters and billing records. No formal citywide audit or ordinance change was announced at the meeting.