Dear Editor,
GWI installed meters to the residents of Mon Repos over two years ago. These meters were not properly installed and the connections were leaky, even past the meters. When reported, we were told that they would come and seal them at a later date. When asked about the water that was leaking past the meter, we were told that we need not worry as we were getting a fixed charge.
This fixed amount was paid up to last December. To our great astonishment, we were billed with metered readings for the first quarter of 2009 and told that we owed GWI sums like $90,000. They have discounted the amounts that were paid to GWI since the meters were installed.
They have not taken into account water that was lost due to faulty installation of the meters initially. GWI is charging citizens for water that was used since the meters were installed years ago. GWI is charging citizens for water that leaked because the meters were not properly installed. GWI is making citizens pay for their negligence.
The fact of the matter is that GWI should have had all the meters calibrated to zero as of January 1, 2009, or have the meters read and the number shown to residents as of January 1, 2009 and then make us pay for what we have used for the first quarter of 2009.
It is extremely unreason-able for GWI to suddenly give an astronomical bill to the ordinary citizens of this country. This is unconscionable. Where are people going to find sums of $80-90,000 to pay GWI suddenly? This evening at about 6pm, we heard an announcement via loudspeaker in a truck, that we are going to be disconnected tomorrow, July 15, if we have not paid our bills.
Yours faithfully,
(Name and address provided)
Editor’s note
We are sending a copy of this letter to Mr Rawle Aaron, PRO of Guyana Water Inc for any comments he might wish to make.
