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#1 4thgenFolsomite

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Posted 05 October 2011 - 03:12 PM

some friends of mine who live in a metered area found out that while they were on vacation, their neighbors refilled their swimming pool (after draining it) with my friends' water! They didn't realize it had happened until their water bill came back 20,000 gallons higher than it had been for years. The water bill was only $30 higher, but when they found out, they felt violated and angry. They don't really speak to those neighbors anyway, nothing feudish, just dissimilar personalities.

what would you do?
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#2 nomad

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Posted 05 October 2011 - 03:19 PM

some friends of mine who live in a metered area found out that while they were on vacation, their neighbors refilled their swimming pool (after draining it) with my friends' water! They didn't realize it had happened until their water bill came back 20,000 gallons higher than it had been for years. The water bill was only $30 higher, but when they found out, they felt violated and angry. They don't really speak to those neighbors anyway, nothing feudish, just dissimilar personalities.

what would you do?


Drain the pool while they aren't looking.

#3 Carl G

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Posted 05 October 2011 - 03:20 PM

My first thought was to go pee in their pool, but I suppose a more appropriate thing to do is to talk with them about it. I would guess most reasonable neighbors would pay the $30. If not, they can always resort to option one.

#4 Deb aka Resume Lady

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Posted 05 October 2011 - 03:24 PM

I'd send them an invoice for the $30, documenting whatever proof they have that these folks used their water. I'd specify a date by which this $30 be paid and I'd ask that they not use your utilities in the future. I'd keep it very professional and appropriate, but I'd definitely put it all in writing -- partly to try to get the money back, partly to start the documentation process in case they try something like this again.
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#5 aztransplant

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Posted 05 October 2011 - 03:26 PM

some friends of mine who live in a metered area found out that while they were on vacation, their neighbors refilled their swimming pool (after draining it) with my friends' water! They didn't realize it had happened until their water bill came back 20,000 gallons higher than it had been for years. The water bill was only $30 higher, but when they found out, they felt violated and angry. They don't really speak to those neighbors anyway, nothing feudish, just dissimilar personalities.

what would you do?


How do they know that this is what happened? Did they ask these neighbors about it, or did the neighbors tell them? Or, are they just guessing, figuring that 20,000 gallons is equivalent to the amount the neighbors' pool would need for filling?

I just know that, for me, sometimes my assumptions are correct; but the times when they are not, I sure create a whole lot of undue angst for myself and I'm unable to find a solution the problem.

What would I do? Probably check it out with the neighbor first, then decide if I wanted to do anything further once I found out the real scoop.

#6 Deb aka Resume Lady

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Posted 05 October 2011 - 03:34 PM

How do they know that this is what happened? Did they ask these neighbors about it, or did the neighbors tell them? Or, are they just guessing, figuring that 20,000 gallons is equivalent to the amount the neighbors' pool would need for filling?

I just know that, for me, sometimes my assumptions are correct; but the times when they are not, I sure create a whole lot of undue angst for myself and I'm unable to find a solution the problem.

What would I do? Probably check it out with the neighbor first, then decide if I wanted to do anything further once I found out the real scoop.


I assumed they had proof when I posted my response -- but maybe they don't.
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#7 4thgenFolsomite

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Posted 05 October 2011 - 03:43 PM

their only proof is that the person they had coming to check on the house once or twice while they were gone saw a hose coming out of the neighbor's backyard draining tons of water to the street. they thought they were just wasting water, until they realized the neighbors were draining their pool. so the neighbors definately drained their pool and my friends' water bill was unexpectedly 20,000 gallons higher during the month they were vacationing for two weeks. I don't think anything short of seeing a hose running from their house under the fence would be proof. They are just going to steam about it and let it go. they are also going to monitor their meter before and after they go on vacation in the future.
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#8 john

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Posted 05 October 2011 - 03:48 PM

I'd privately stew over it and let it go. $30 is not worth the time or stress. If it happened again I'd have a chat with them.



#9 Dave Burrell

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Posted 05 October 2011 - 04:11 PM

some friends of mine who live in a metered area found out that while they were on vacation, their neighbors refilled their swimming pool (after draining it) with my friends' water! They didn't realize it had happened until their water bill came back 20,000 gallons higher than it had been for years. The water bill was only $30 higher, but when they found out, they felt violated and angry. They don't really speak to those neighbors anyway, nothing feudish, just dissimilar personalities.

what would you do?


If it was me, I'd go to the neighbors and ask if they could help me find a temporary leak that caused a 20,000 gallon leak while I was on vacation, and since I didn't find any sign of 20,000 gallons of water "pooled" up anywhere at my place, I was thinking maybe it could have leaked over to your side?, can you help me find the leak? Or maybe you saw a huge tanker truck pull up to my house while I was on vacation and steal it from my garden hose? Did you see anything like that? I'm asking all the neighbors for help with this, thanks.

then just see what they say.... this way there's no accusations, just a request for help to solve the mystery of the missing 20,000 gallons of water.

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#10 Deb aka Resume Lady

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Posted 05 October 2011 - 04:17 PM

I'd privately stew over it and let it go. $30 is not worth the time or stress. If it happened again I'd have a chat with them.


If the neighbor stole a $30 lawn ornament or $30 worth of paving stones would you let it go? Stealing is stealing. I'd at least have a talk with the neighbor.
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#11 caligirlz

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Posted 05 October 2011 - 04:22 PM

I'd definately talk to them. I like Dave's approach. The affects of stress (stewing) on my health are not worth doing nothing, to me.

The other thing, can't you cap off the faucets, especially if one isn't going to be around for awhile?

#12 Darth Lefty

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Posted 05 October 2011 - 04:24 PM

Take it back.

It COULD be a leak. A friend in Gold River just bought a house with an enormous leak that was going into the potato-sized rocks and sand underneath and leaving no trace.
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#13 momof1

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Posted 05 October 2011 - 04:55 PM

If it is a leak, then next months bill should be large as well because last time I had something leak, the leak never did fix itself. If the next month water bill is normal, I would probably file a report with the police, letting them know you don't want to file charges at the time, but in case it happens again, you have documented proof of the prior event.

#14 Steve Heard

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Posted 05 October 2011 - 07:50 PM

Is it possible they got the wrong bill? I'd call the water company and tell them that I was on vacation and actually should have used much less than usual instead of the 20,000 more than usual. Also mention that you were told the neighbor drained their pool and that it is now full, so perhaps they meant to bill the neighbor.

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#15 tessieca

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Posted 05 October 2011 - 08:22 PM

Isn't theft of water still theft? It's petty theft if so, but maybe a police report would be in order to ensure it doesn't happen again?
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