Oklahoma city's water bills showed zero use for almost everyone — now customers owe the rest

Nearly all water accounts in Chandler, Oklahoma, were billed for less water than customers used because of a billing error. 

While that initially sounds like good news, the unpaid charges may mean higher utility bills in December.

Here's what to know

According to KOKH, a system glitch caused the water utility billing error.

"A glitch in our system caused a zero-consumption reading for almost all water accounts, which in turn generated a minimum bill for these customers," the City of Chandler said in a statement.

The City of Chandler only discovered the problem after customers started receiving the bills. 

What can be done?

Chandler City Hall staff can manually correct accounts for customers who contact the office to pay the remaining balance before December's bill arrives.

The unpaid charges will otherwise appear automatically on December's utility bill.

"We apologize for any confusion this billing error has caused, and we have taken steps to ensure a similar situation does not occur in the future," the City of Chandler added.

Water bills are among the monthly costs that take a chunk out of household budgets. While a reduced fee for one month might ease the pressure for some, the added expense a month later could be even more of a shock to already stretched bank accounts.

Reducing water consumption at home can slash bills and ease pressure on an increasingly strained resource. That could mean shortening daily showers, turning off the tap while brushing your teeth, or capturing rainwater for use in the yard. 

Where can I learn more?

Customers in other communities have also faced unexpected charges after water billing problems.

• In California, officials found 900 faulty water meters after a $40 bill became $3,700.

• A Los Angeles couple faced a $9,200 water bill after years of meter problems.

• In Chicago, a $67,000 water bill hit a vacant building reportedly lacking a meter.

• In Odessa, Texas, hundreds said new meters quadrupled bills as the city fought refunds.

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