Flood of complaints

Other ratepayers responded to a post about the leaks and subsequent huge hikes in their water bills from Council, with a flood of complaints:

“Yes!! Our bills have doubled.”

“Yes they increased the water pressure and then all the old pipes cracked and tap washers failed. $1800 bill.”

“Let’s all refuse to pay our water bills until something is done about it ..it’s not like none of us have money to throw away and that’s literally what we are doing... Douglas Shire Council There is clearly a massive issue here as so many people are complaining.”

“Yes had two holes all of a sudden.”

“The day after they installed the new water meter, our front yard was soggy and we found water bubbling up through the ground. We had to pay a plumber to replace the broken pipe.”

“Yep, had ours fixed twice....”

Council refuses responsibility

But Douglas Shire Council has completely washed its hands of any responsibility for the leaks and increased water bills.

They have obviously taken the word of the contractors that ‘no’ leaks were detected during or shortly after the metres were installed.

“Any leak reported to DSC by contractors is inspected,” Mayor, Michael Kerr said in response to comment Newsport sought from Council over the water bill issue, without saying if there actually were any inspections.

“Customers will not receive credits on their water bills.

“Council has a Concealed Leak Financial Assistance Policy. Customers can access the form required to apply for assistance on the Douglas Shire Council website.

“Customers with smart water meters may be eligible for a one-off claim for the first water bill issued following the installation of the smart water meter.”

Despite the list of residents’ complaints, Council has thrown the ball back into the ratepayers’ court to prove that the Council contractors are responsible.

“The Smart Water Meters identify leaks that may have previously gone undetected,” the Mayor said.

“Individually we are being asked to pay out of pocket for plumbing that had been working for years until their installation," Mr Lockwood said.

"That doesn't amount to much but collectively when you look at the issues raised by the residents, the Council is profiting from their lack of governance."

The residents might have to look at other ways of relieving their higher bills.

“I got a pressure reducer a few months before the new meters came out,” one posted on social media, adding: “was experiencing high pressure and yep was splitting poly pipe quite a few times, not now, I really suggest a water pressure reducer, they work great (touch wood) my pressure without it was up to 900, now it’s down to a manageable 500 and my water bill has drastically reduced.”