Over the last couple of weeks, officials with the Barkley Lake Water District have taken several phone calls about concerns of some recent monthly bills having changes.
While most charges have trundled along with little difference, a few have mentioned noticeable increases.
John Herring, manager for the Lake Barkley Water District, told the News Edge that the utility company currently has more than 5,700 active meters and more than 6,000 in the ground.
Approximately once every 10 years, customer meters are changed out for newer, improved models. That change out, Herring said, is happening now — with displacement instruments being replaced with more sensitive, more accurate ultrasonic readers.
Herring also confirmed there are “several things going on” that could be leading to the varied complaints:
1) South western Kentucky is in the middle of a drought, just like one-third of the country, and as such, bills — a month in the rear — are just now coming through from the dry July and August weeks. Herring said water usage was up during these times.
2) Some customers have had meters fail during this change out, and while most of those have already been replaced, their failure requires a meter reader to send those details back to the main office, and another group then comes through 3-to-4 days later for the repair. Herring said those 2-to-3-to-4 days extra did fall on some reading periods, adding usage to a bill.
3) Many water customers saw increased usage on the new meters, and thought they weren’t functioning properly, when they in fact were.
Herring said there’s a protocol reason for clerks to ask customers check for leaks — and some leaks have even been discovered because of these new readings.
Currently, more than 800 new meters are being read daily, and their readouts are being monitored for accuracy.
Herring also said customers are sometimes surprised with their own water usage. As an example, a toilet can run two-to-three gallons a minute if unchecked or stuck, and it’s a cost that can easily stack.
Located at 1420 Canton Road in Cadiz, the district is open until 4 PM weekdays. Questions can be directed by phone to (270) 522-8425.
