Homeowners in St. Petersburg’s Shore Acres neighborhood are facing unexpected challenges with their water bills after their homes were gutted due to recent hurricanes, leaving them both puzzled and frustrated.

‘It’s Really Frustrating’

What They’re Saying: Jack Cleary’s Shore Acres residence is currently vacant and stripped to the studs. His faucets are completely dry.

“Where’s this water coming from? It’s not here,” he asked Fox 13 Tampa Bay.

Despite this, Cleary received an $800 water bill for this month.

“My first reaction was disbelief, checking if I read it right. Then it turned to anger,” he shared with WTVT.

Cleary mentioned he didn’t shut off utilities entirely, hoping a contractor would soon start rebuilding his home.

What’s Being Done?

Big Picture View: Cleary’s unusually high water bill isn’t an isolated incident. Many neighbors report similar issues, expressing frustration over the lack of response from the water department.

“It feels like hitting your head against a wall. You’re not getting anywhere, and you’re doing it slowly. It’s really frustrating,” Cleary explained.

The city has acknowledged that in some cases, they’ve had to estimate bills due to unreadable meters following the hurricanes, and water rates increased in October.

What You Can Do: If you suspect a leak, you can apply for a leak adjustment or file a petition with the utility bill review committee, although this doesn’t address all the billing issues customers are experiencing.

“The city is the common thread here. We’re all individual homeowners with the same problem, and it’s because of the city. Whether it’s faulty meters or outdated infrastructure, that’s for them to figure out. I know for sure I don’t have any leaks here,” Cleary stated.

Pinellas County Commissioner Vince Nowicki has been communicating with city officials regarding these problems.

“The city has been diligent in recovery efforts post-hurricanes. I hope they continue to investigate these unusual water bills and provide prompt relief to residents,” said Nowicki.

Local Tampa Bay news stations have been inundated with complaints from customers experiencing similar issues. These are being forwarded to city and county leaders to seek resolutions to these ongoing problems.

Follow the St. Pete-Clearwater Sun on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Google, & X

(Image credit: iStock)