Lowell residents report $500–$900 first water bills; council directs staff to study relief

Several new homeowners in Lowell’s Lowell Woods subdivision told the Lowell City Council they were hit with unexpectedly large first water bills and asked the city for relief.

At the meeting Anna Farrell (1214 Gentlein Court) said her initial water and sewer bill totaled $522.72 and that meter readings showed roughly 28,224 gallons of consumption. "I thought this would be resolved by now," Farrell said, recounting that the builder and a plumber inspected the house and found no indoor leak. Farrell said the bill included a $231.61 sewer charge and that neighbors’ bills varied widely, from about $50 to nearly $900.

Other residents told similar stories. Cheyenne John Lewis said her second bill was $780; Alexander Romeo said his first bill was $722.88 and his second $206. Council members and staff discussed whether irrigation run by builders before occupancy had been charged through the sewer rate and whether the billing system lacked safeguards that would flag unusually high first bills.

City staff said an irrigation or dedicated irrigation meter — the city manager noted one can be installed for about $300 — would prevent outdoor irrigation from being billed through sewer charges. Council members also raised the possibility of system alerts to notify customers or staff when consumption spikes, and several council members urged residents to leave copies of their bills at city hall so staff can review the accounts.

Council members debated immediate relief versus a measured policy approach. One council member suggested a one-time adjustment program — for example, a 25% sewer credit for customers who demonstrably used irrigation and whose bills clearly show water did not enter the sewer system — while others said the city should collect data before enacting an ordinance.

The council directed the city manager to gather documentation from affected residents, review billing history and notification capabilities, obtain more information about irrigation meters and vendor options, and return with recommended options rather than taking immediate action at the meeting. The meeting record shows staff has previously offered leak credits when customers provide plumber documentation, but council members said this situation differs because it appears to involve outdoor watering and not an indoor plumbing leak.

The council did not adopt a formal ordinance at the meeting; the public comment and subsequent discussion ended with direction for staff follow-up and outreach to the affected neighborhood.