High water bill in Apopka? Here's what's going on

High water bill in Apopka? Here's what's going on

Some Apopka residents say their water bills have surged ? by as much as 150% ? prompting complaints and confusion over what they actually owe. City officials acknowledge the issue, attributing many of the discrepancies to estimated billing.

ORLANDO, Fla. - Some Apopka residents say their water bills have surged — by as much as 150% — prompting complaints and confusion over what they actually owe. City officials acknowledge the issue, attributing many of the discrepancies to estimated billing.

An Example:

Eric Palank says he noticed his bill was about 50% higher one month than normal. The month after that, it was up 150%.

Apopka’s Utility Billing Team told him his bill was an estimated amount based on his usage from last year.

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But in June of last year, he got billed $110. This year is was $244.

"How do you trust them, right? If you didn't send me the right bill for the last six months, how do I know that when you come out you're what you're gonna tell me is actually accurate or is it not," Palank told FOX 35’s Marie Edinger.

Estimated Bills:

Apopka Mayor Bryan Nelson says if you’ve been getting an estimated bill and then get an accurate reading that discovers you've been underpaying, you might wind up with a surprise.

He says that’s what happened to Palank.

The city told Palank they'd send someone out to check his meter, but it could take a few months — and until then, they said to pay what he thinks he should owe.

The Meters:

The mayor says there are three issues people could potentially face with the technology that’s used for their water bills: the meter itself, the computer that communicates the reading, and the tower that takes the reading.

What To Do If You’re Concerned:

If you believe your bill may be inaccurate, call the city. The city does have payment plans if the bill is too much.

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They also have programs to help with bills heightened by water leaks, and for new pool owners.

What's next:

The mayor says the city has been working to get people off estimated bills. They had been at about 11% of customers. He says that’s now down to 6%.