Large water bill prompts warning from new homeowner
CTV Ottawa: Small lawn prompts large water bill
Small lawn prompts large water bill
28-year old Emily Hashem admits she knew her summer water bill would be high but she never expected to pay $1,400. Catherine Lathem reports.
CTV Ottawa's Catherine Lathem
Catherine Lathem, Reporter
@CatherineCTV
Published Wednesday, August 31, 2016 6:40PM EDT
Last Updated Wednesday, August 31, 2016 6:41PM EDT
A new Ottawa homeowner, with new sod on a small suburban lawn is now swamped with a giant city water bill.
“I was shocked,” said 28-year old Emily Hashem from her new semi-detached home in the Findlay Creek neighbourhood of Ottawa South.
“My assumption was my water bill would be high and by high I mean five, six even seven-hundred dollars max,” added Hashem, “when I opened my bill I nearly had a heart attack.”
Hashem, along with a few of her neighbours received sod for her new lawn on June 14. The city was going through a dry spell, so she says on advice from the landscaper she heavily watered the new lawn.
“I said important slash mandatory, water your grass for 24-hours initially per day. I did what I was told, I may have been naive, but I’m young and it’s my first house.”
Hashem turned on the sprinkler for nearly three days straight and overnight for an additional five days. The high water use caught the city’s attention, prompting them to call Hashem with an automated warning she may have a water leak. After checking for a leak, there was no leak, she realized it was because of watering the lawn, so she slowed down, only watering sporadically each day.
When her water bill arrived from the city of Ottawa, she had the shock of her life, “I just took a picture and sent it to my family and said Oh my God!”
Her bill was $1,405.
Hashem’s neighbour across the street, Mustafa Al Rubai, faced a similar bill. “It was crazy,” Rubai told CTV after opening his $725 water bill, “We get the bill and we’re like, we’ll take care of it (the lawn), but not as much.”
Both Hashem’s and Rubai’s lawns are now fading from bright green to light brown, but neither one intends to turn on the taps. Both called the city asking for reprieves but both were told no.
More Ottawa residents have been watering their lawns because of this dry, hot summer. City officials say because people are spending more on water, the city is making more and is facing a surplus for the first time in years.
In a statement to CTV city treasurer Marian Simulik says “Due to the drought conditions this summer, water consumption has increased this year compared to last year. This increase in revenue, combined with cost reductions, has resulted in a $1.648 million dollar surplus for rate-supported services (water and sewer), as at June 30, 2016. Based on current trends, estimated consumption for the remainder of the year and estimated cost reductions, the City is currently forecasting an overall $5 million surplus at the end of the year. By comparison, the City reported a deficit of $16 million last year and a deficit of $18.8 million in 2014.
The City does not refund customers in years of surplus, nor does it charge extra to recover costs in years when there is a deficit. Surpluses are placed in a reserve and the deficits are covered by the reserve which helps to smooth out the effects of year over year fluctuations in consumption. This allows the water rates to remain stable and predictable for consumers and not fluctuate significantly each year.
Although we cannot comment on an individual situation, customers are encouraged to contact the Revenue Branch to discuss their water bill by calling 613-580-2444.”
As for Hashem, she’s now showering at the gym to save money, her bill is due September 1st but will likely have to ask family for the cash to cover it.
安省女子搬新家给草地浇水 被天价水费惊呆！