Circumstances surrounding recent water bills issued by Chaparral City Water Co. are becoming “curiouser and curiouser.” We all expected higher water bills at our homes this summer due to the rate hike approved by the Arizona Corporation Commission, but some residents are claiming their bills skyrocketed to unbelievable numbers following the hike. Even an online petition was started to help nudge EPCOR, the parent company of CCWC, to investigate the matter.

Was there a computer glitch? A ton of new leaks sprouting around town? Consumers not realizing how much water they really use? Just a simple rate hike?

The water company says it can’t really investigate such a widespread issue unless individual consumers contact them with account information, billing inquiries, etc. There is a procedure established through the state regulatory agency to handle customer complaints and when water meter testing is appropriate.

Mayor Linda Kavanagh has been working with residents and EPCOR to resolve some of these disputes. “I expect each case to be investigated, not each resident told you must have a leak,” Kavanagh wrote on one social media site.

If you think you have a problem with your water bill, got hit with a rate increase higher than 22 percent, for example, or suspect a malfunctioning water meter, go ahead and contact CCWC. Water company personnel have told us not too many meters ever are found to be suspect (again, this process is regulated by outside agencies).

Likewise, local plumbers and landscapers are kept quite busy searching for leaks. This can be a difficult task at times – and these leaks are not always readily apparent. We’re hoping solutions can be found for all the outstanding questions out there on outrageously high water bills for some consumers.