Increasing numbers of St. Petersburg residents are reporting unusually high water bills.

Since the hurricanes, dozens have complained about receiving bills that are five to twenty times higher than their usual amounts.

Olga, a 95-year-old local, noticed her bill surge right before the hurricane hit.

“I’ve lived in Florida for 80 years, and this kind of treatment isn’t what St. Petersburg stands for,” Olga explained to WTVT.

At her home in St. Pete, Olga conserves by collecting rainwater in jugs for her plants, avoiding the use of city water.

Having grown up during the Great Depression as a child of immigrants, Olga is meticulous about her water and money usage.

Thus, receiving a $500 water bill in September was a shock.

“I’m enjoying my life, and then I get hit with this unexpected bill,” Olga remarked.

What the Bill Hike Means for Olga 

Living alone on a fixed income, Olga is very frugal, cooking only once a week and doing laundry biweekly.

St. Pete’s Response 

The city suggested there might be a leak at her residence.

Olga’s Counter 

After inspections by two plumbers and a general contractor, no leaks were found.

“Where’s the water I supposedly used?” Olga questioned.

These professionals sent letters to the city supporting her claim.

Taking a Deeper Look 

Her bill suggested an extra 20,000 gallons of usage, which the contractor labeled as an ‘erroneous reading.’

Olga’s daughter filed a petition with the Utility Billing Review Committee, but despite the evidence, they couldn’t reduce the charges.

“They won’t budge,” Olga’s daughter stated.

Reducing Water Bills 

The city offered that if a leak were found and fixed, an adjustment could be made. However, no leak exists for Olga.

Refusing to pay for water she did not use and unable to afford the bill, Olga is prepared.

“If they cut off my water, I’ll just borrow a bucket from my neighbors,” she said.

Without any fixes, her subsequent bills returned to normal.

Residents Experiencing Bill Increases 

This isn’t an isolated incident; other homeowners have voiced similar concerns to local news stations, including FOX 13.

The city mentioned that either increased fees in October or estimated billing post-hurricane could explain the hikes, but these reasons don’t fit Olga’s case.

“It’s simply not fair. If many are facing this, there’s a systemic issue,” Olga argued.

If you’re facing an issue with your water bill, you might consider petitioning the city’s Utility Billing Review Committee.

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