Resident asks council to adjust two high water bills; council agrees to average prior usage

A Missouri Valley resident, Melissa South, appealed to the council for help after receiving two unusually high water bills that preceded a meter replacement and an internal plumbing failure that flooded her basement.

South said the meter reading before the repair was about 15,700 gallons and that the meter replaced subsequently read about 3,300 gallons. She described extensive clean-up costs and a temporary disruption while repairs were made. She asked the city to adjust the two months in question, totaling $369.72, because she said the excess use did not reflect normal household consumption.

Council members and utility staff discussed options including pulling hourly/daily usage logs from the new digital meter and comparing usage patterns. Utility staff confirmed the newer meters can provide detailed interval data and a leak indicator light and offered to supply a report. A councilor proposed rebilling the two disputed months using an average of the prior 12 months (excluding the anomalous months); the council moved, seconded and approved that approach, and staff agreed to contact the resident and provide the meter report.

Why it matters: the decision balances consumer protection with fiscal prudence; using a historical average is a common method to correct extraordinary bills when a meter or plumbing failure is suspected. The council also asked staff to check the new meter's log to verify whether usage patterns show continuous flow at night or other evidence of a leak.

What happens next: staff will obtain the new meter's interval report and apply a 12-month average to the two disputed billing periods as directed by council; the resident requested a call so she can come to city hall to complete payment arrangements.