$4,168.67!?😱 Houston woman sent huge bill despite shutting off water herself to avoid it

HOUSTON – A Kashmere Garden resident claims despite shutting off her own water, fearing a high bill, she still owes $4,168.67 in past due notices.

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A community advocate reached out to KPRC 2 Rilwan Balogun about the plight of Betty Gregory who received a blue water bill and is being told she needs to pay it by this Friday.

Balogun confirmed the balance after checking with Houston Public Work’s customer account service.

Gregory said she recalls receiving an abnormal bill a few months ago and hadn’t paid the bill since.

City officials stress to anyone as soon as you receive a higher-than-expected bill to immediately call customer account service at 713-371-1400.

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The bill shows a 24-month period starting in May 2023. It shows roughly 5,000 gallons of water was used in June and July then it jumped to 45,000 gallons in September then it dropped again.

The City of Houston says the temporary blue bills are for the minimum 90-day period when all single-family residential customers are on the set usage until they receive the notification they will be moved back to actual usage. The bill will still be blue if a customer is billed for actual usage during the set usage period.

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They will not return to the regular white bill until they receive the notification that their remote reading device is functioning and transmitting accurate readings.

During KPRC 2′s ‘Drained’ investigation, one common thing KPRC 2 Investigator Amy Davis uncovered is people often got large, unexpected bills after their meter sensor was replaced or updated.

With the new water bill plan that kicked off in April, people are put on estimated usage until it is confirmed that they have a working meter sensor.

You can check your own neighborhood. The city updates the progress of the meter sensor updates.

Updated yesterday, June 11, this shows only 6% of people in Kashmere Garden still need their meter sensors replaced.

City officials confirm Gregory does have an updated remote device. They are working to figure out how overtime her bill has grown. But the official stresses Gregory and others should call the customer account service phone number and pay any current charge to remain in good standing.