Eight Mile couple has water cut off as they fight high Prichard Water bill

EIGHT MILE, Ala. (WPMI) — Jerrold Noble, Brisa Strachan and their 12-year-old daughter were forced to move after a fire broke out in the kitchen of their Eight Mile home last August. They lived in rented accommodation for 10 months while their home was being repaired, which is why they were so confused when they suddenly started getting high water bills.

“The bills were actually astronomical in February and March this year,” Noble said.

Even though they didn't live here, their water usage somehow increased. According to them, they used 6,000 gallons of water in March and 16,000 gallons in April.

“I don’t have a pool or anything else that uses that much water,” Noble said.

The bill they received after moving in this summer shows they used 1,700 gallons of water. Strachan says she tried to explain this to a Prichard Water employee. She showed them the lease where they lived elsewhere and a picture of a cable to their old water meter that appeared to be damaged. The meter was replaced this week. The couple also showed the utility company a letter from a plumber who had inspected the house for leaks.

“They confirmed there were no leaks,” Noble said.

Despite all this, the utility company said more than $500 was still due.

“It was just very, very frustrating,” Strachan said.

They became even more frustrated this week when their water was turned off. Strachan says they offered to pay the current, correct bill amount, but were told they would have to agree to a payment plan and pay the full amount owed to get their water turned back on, which they reluctantly agreed to.

“Even though we know we haven't used as much water when we're not here,” Strachan said. “I just wish they would listen to the residents. Instead of us addressing our problems when we come here, they want to be argumentative and combative with us. Listen to our problems and really take the time to figure out what's going on instead of bringing us here.”

A spokesman for Prichard Water's insolvency administrator said they were investigating the incident and working on a solution.