Cancer survivor hits with outrageous $15,000 water bill: ‘We can't get any common sense’
- Replies 15
In a baffling turn of events that could leave anyone's jaw on the floor, a cancer survivor from the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales has been hit with a water bill that's enough to make your eyes water—a staggering $15,000.
This astronomical figure left Anthony, who lives a simple life with a modest garden, fishpond, and workshop, in utter disbelief.
Anthony was accustomed to his water bill hovering around the reasonable sum of $290.
His daily water usage?
A mere 130 litres, aligning with the average consumption estimated by Sydney Water.
But when Anthony opened his latest bill from Goulburn Mulwaree Council, he was met with a figure that would make anyone's eyes water: $15,645.86.
The council claimed that Anthony had used over 35,000 litres of water per day over the last 104 days.
To put that into perspective, that's the equivalent of filling two Olympic-sized swimming pools or leaving five taps running continuously, day and night.
'A 15-and-a-half thousand dollar water bill, they can go and get themselves nicked,' Anthony declared.
'I'm not paying it, no way in the world.'
Anthony's battle with cancer has left him with communication difficulties, so his father, Neil, stepped in on his behalf.
Neil's disbelief mirrored his son's as he recounted the situation.
'I couldn't believe it when he showed me the bill,' he said.
'Currently, now, we're at this point in a stage where we can't get any reasonable common sense from the council.’
'I said, “It's got to be the crook meter,” and she said, “We've had a lot of meters tested, and they've all come back positive,”' Neil recounted.
'And I said, “What about this meter?” and she said, “It'll cost you $50 to have it tested, but there'll be nothing wrong with it.”'
He has received multiple emails from Goulburn Mulwaree Council demanding evidence that he did not consume such a large amount of water.
Anthony mentioned that he received a reminder for an overdue bill, instructing him to pay it immediately.
'I got an email saying I can have a payment plan and all the rest of it..like, get real,' he said.
'I'm not going to pay it.'
Neil explained that Anthony uses his own water tank for gardening, topping up his fishpond, and washing his car.
The town's water supply is reserved for household tasks like washing up and showering. The idea that his son could have racked up such a 'ridiculous' bill was unfathomable.
Anthony has been tasked with preparing a detailed letter outlining his water usage, which will be presented at a council meeting later this month.
In a similar story, a 79-year-old retiree found himself in a situation after the Mornington Peninsula Council ordered him to remove a series of agapanthus plants from a nature strip outside his home.
The council's ultimatum: uproot the plants or face a hefty fine of $7,692. You can read more about the story here.
Have you or someone you know ever faced a similar billing blunder? Share your experiences in the comments below.
This astronomical figure left Anthony, who lives a simple life with a modest garden, fishpond, and workshop, in utter disbelief.
Anthony was accustomed to his water bill hovering around the reasonable sum of $290.
His daily water usage?
A mere 130 litres, aligning with the average consumption estimated by Sydney Water.
Anthony was stunned to find out his water bill had jumped from $290 to $15,000. Credit: Shutterstock
But when Anthony opened his latest bill from Goulburn Mulwaree Council, he was met with a figure that would make anyone's eyes water: $15,645.86.
The council claimed that Anthony had used over 35,000 litres of water per day over the last 104 days.
To put that into perspective, that's the equivalent of filling two Olympic-sized swimming pools or leaving five taps running continuously, day and night.
'A 15-and-a-half thousand dollar water bill, they can go and get themselves nicked,' Anthony declared.
'I'm not paying it, no way in the world.'
Anthony's battle with cancer has left him with communication difficulties, so his father, Neil, stepped in on his behalf.
Neil's disbelief mirrored his son's as he recounted the situation.
'I couldn't believe it when he showed me the bill,' he said.
'Currently, now, we're at this point in a stage where we can't get any reasonable common sense from the council.’
'I said, “It's got to be the crook meter,” and she said, “We've had a lot of meters tested, and they've all come back positive,”' Neil recounted.
'And I said, “What about this meter?” and she said, “It'll cost you $50 to have it tested, but there'll be nothing wrong with it.”'
He has received multiple emails from Goulburn Mulwaree Council demanding evidence that he did not consume such a large amount of water.
Anthony mentioned that he received a reminder for an overdue bill, instructing him to pay it immediately.
'I got an email saying I can have a payment plan and all the rest of it..like, get real,' he said.
'I'm not going to pay it.'
Neil explained that Anthony uses his own water tank for gardening, topping up his fishpond, and washing his car.
The town's water supply is reserved for household tasks like washing up and showering. The idea that his son could have racked up such a 'ridiculous' bill was unfathomable.
Anthony has been tasked with preparing a detailed letter outlining his water usage, which will be presented at a council meeting later this month.
In a similar story, a 79-year-old retiree found himself in a situation after the Mornington Peninsula Council ordered him to remove a series of agapanthus plants from a nature strip outside his home.
The council's ultimatum: uproot the plants or face a hefty fine of $7,692. You can read more about the story here.
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