Florida Governmental Utility Authority [FGUA] review: overbilling 41

Wow...to think this all started more than 5 or so years ago when this post was first made...and to find out that the quai-governmental ripoff is still going strong. Boy do I ever feel sorry for the citizenry there. Well it ought to piss you all off to know that I after one of those florida storms that caused the ceiling and roof to fall in ...I left florida altogether. I now have a house with a well, solar panels, big batteries, wind generator, septic for the sewer, chickens, garden, incredible firewood stove, and much more. There is one bill I've not been able to wing (yet)...it's the internet bill.
Trading freedom and life for convenience and trend is not a good trade-off, in my opinion. The plutocracy has surely become as the bible refers to her (a [censor]...and like a capitalist, she sells...revelations 17&18). So what's the answer? Well we can't all get lucky enough to obtain our own homestead with some semblance of freedom...our troops can't liberate us as they are conveniently displaced...hmmm...where's those blasted oathkeepers when you need them anyway? Well, I surely mean it when I say I sympathize with you trapped people (and wish there was some truth to the statement that "it'll all get better soon"...but...I can't.

FGUA is guilty of corporate theft. My bill for 25 years has been $55 to $85 depending on usage. (Family here for Holiday, pressure washing, etc) Last month I was billed for 13, 000 gallons and told I must have a leak. A leak where? Plumber called and there are no leaks. No faucets left on, no toilets running (they are new) no water theft. The new meters are defective! 13, 000 would fill a swimming pool. I leak that size I would notice. THIEVES! The water is way overpriced to start with. Then to pull this crap is over the limit!

I moved to Pasco 7 months ago and my water bill averages $175-$200/mo. This is up from $55/month when I lived in Pinellas county. I inquired to our Congressman Bilirakis and he referred my to the Florida Public Service Commission. When I contacted them, they informed me that FGUA is a GOVERNMENT ENTITY and as such is not regulated by the Florida Public Service Commission. So it's our own government that's gouging us! Clearly there's something wrong with this picture. Any suggestions would be welcomed.

I moved 5 miles away 2 months ago, same zip code. I am retired, live by myself and am on a fixed budget. My water bill has doubled since moving from Pasco Water to FGUA company. I have called FGUA several times and have been told that their rates are higher than Pasco water. No kidding! I tried to get them to explain why their rates were so high and all I heard were excuses. I do believe FGUA needs a thorough audit of their business practices. Does anybody know the name of FGUA's CEO? According to their employees, they have a board. I want to know what kind of salary, perks and benefits their board members and CEO receive. I cannot believe that their infrastructure updates cost more than their competitors. But, that is what they told me. I was also told that I do not have any other water/sewer company options. It's time that this monopoly is exposed!

I am in agreement with the other folks comments that this water company is corrupt with over billing and threats regarding unpaid bills. What can be done to institute a thorough investigation of FGUA billing practices (for both water usage and sewer). At my former property in Pensacola my water bill was 30 a month and now it is 100 a month. We are retired and now living in Lehigh Acres. We have no sprinkler system and rarely water our plants . It is time for action--how can this be done?

Alan Waggoner
1423 Kimdale St E
Lehigh Acres, FL 33936
[protected]

They are ripping people off. I also went to the BBB. Guess what, nothings been done about this companys over charging !

FGUA water bills are ridiculous. I was out of state for three weeks with no one in my home and my bill was higher than the previous month when I was home. Fguas response is that someone probably 'stole' my water! There are no leaks in my home. Calls to them give u no answers other than yours bill is your bill and pay it! According to 8 on your side news, Pasco Utilities is undergoing a massive audit and big problems have been found. What will it take to have an audit done on FGUA. I'm sure the same problems of overfilling will be found.

Someone with more money than me needs to start a class suit against fgua. They are charging sewer charges for the water that is used to fill thousands of swimming pools. This is a gross misuse of power of the monopoly. WE are being charged for a service we are not using. This is government fraud at it's best.

I live in a very small place in Fruitland park Florida, My place is a one bedroom, 14 x 36 home, my average bill was @ 64.00 a month . It went up to 95.00 a month when I activated my sprinkler system 3 months which is expected which is way too much compared to other water companies . My bill last month was 777.65 . The water company sent someone out to read my meter and they said I had no leaks. They sent the meter out for testing and the clerk told me they are never bad. Im not sure who to complain too or where to go with this. There is not way that I used 54000 gallons of water. I am single and live alone. I have friends that have huge homes and their water bill is less then what my regular bill used to be with a sprinkler system. I have no leaks . My place is small . Need advice. This company is the worst that I have dealt with. All they want is the money !

I have a Mobile home that I use as a shop. Nobody lives there.There is no water usage and my bill was about $50 every month. I called to find out why my bill was so Hi and the customer service would say that is basic charge. Asked for supervisor twice and never revived a call back. I travel a lot and stopped paying bill. Now they have disconnected the water, but still keep charging me $20 basic fee and late fee. Spoke to supervisor today she tells me there is no way that I can stop the service. Even if I do not want the water I have to pay minimum $20 every month for their pipes and meter because I own the place. I said I don't want it, remove the meter. The answer was no. You have to pay minimum service fee regardless. That just does not make sense to me. Can somebody give me some guideline.

I totally agree with your complaints. We purchased our home and in the first bill was contacted and to our water usage was in excess of 80000 gallons. When we finally got that straightened out we realized that due to their billing practices our charges are in excess of 59$ just for them reading the meters their base charges. They charge 21$ for irrigation meter reading even though there was no water usage. Charge 21$ for house water meter reading and 17$ charge for sewer base charge. When I inquired about that charge since it is just calculated due to water usage they said it was for reading. I asked if there was a meter for sewer and there is not... They are a bunch of crooks. If there is another company that services the Land O Lakes area Terra Bella subdivision off hey 54 please let me know. This is a ripoff. Michael [protected]. Thanks

I have lived here in Trinity for many years now and love my home, property and neighbors. My only complaint living in this community have been the astronomical water/sewerage rates that FGUA charges every month. I do not want to move but find myself looking for a new residence simply to escape the FGUA monopoly. I don't run my sprinklers for more than 20 minutes per zone once a week because I know that I will be looking at a $200 water next month! Does anyone in the entire state of Florida pay nearly what we pay for water/sewerage in our area? Unbelievable.

I recently move to Trinity from Tampa. I was a renter and paid water and sewer through a third party provider of the apartment complex. My bills were about $50 a month which was fair to me because my son does takes long showers. I am in receipt of my second bill from FGUA and notice that they charge the same amount of consumption for sewer as they do for water, however the sewer rate is much higher. The rate to me is normal as I know the sewer rates are higher than then water rates...what I don't get is how can they determine that all the water being used is going down the sewer?! I drink filter water from my refrigerator, for coffee, for cooking. There is at least 1-2 gallons a day that I know for sure is not going down the sewer! My bill was $15 more dollars than I paid in Tampa. I am waiting for a call back from FGUA which I know will result in nothing. Initial call to them is that is the way the water and sewer is calculated. If we are going to be charged for something, at least let it be the correct amount! I believe that FGUA needs to take into consideration the amount of water that does not go down the sewer since that rate is higher than water rate.

My mother passed away in April of this year 2014 and her house has been empty for almost the last 3 months however she has been getting charged every month from FGUA out of her checking acct. So today 7/7/14 I contacted FGUA to let them know that she had passed away and to ask them about the charges, and let them know that I would now be needing her water bill sent to my address because her bank account was going to be closed due the probate process that was beginning. I would need this done so that I could pay the water until her house had been sold. They had the audacity to tell me that I would need to pay a $25 connection fee even though the water has never been disconnected and that I would need to pay a $150 deposit fee ALL this so I can pay them and on an empty house!

It is complete BS that we have to pay a bill if we aren't utilizing their service. The answer I received from these idiots is that we have to pay each month to cover all the people losing their homes and the snow birds. They said it's the only way to pay their employees or they would be out of business. They put a lien on my house for 157.00! This is a complete joke!

i live in pasco too, and the bill is going over the fence .the house is empty and we try to sell the house but with all the problem that we have we coudn't do it . i speak with one of that office and they told me tha if the house still in our name the are going to sent abill for the service no matter if we dont use the water .we cancel the service 5 years ago and still sending abill., how we are going to pay for something that we don't use, that's not fair, has to be something that we can do it to stop this repo

They told me my usage tripled because I filled my in ground pool. They said I called in and told them I did. I don't have a pool! They manually read the meters and must have switched the meter numbers with my neighbors. Lucky them. They refused to check, correct, or adjust! By the way, I work for a water billing company in Safety harbor and we can only charge what the municipality's rates are. It's the law or your are profiting from selling water! If there is a class action lawsuit please call me too!

Rhiannon and Dan
[protected]

I just moved to New Port Richey a month ago. I'm single, disabled, have no pool, and am used to $34 per month water bills. My first bill with fgua for 29 days was for $160! I cant pay that on disability! Fgua said I must have a leak but there is no evidence anywhere of a leak. Upon finding this link, it appears I found the answer to what's going on. Let's do something to stop this-from contacting the media to filing a class action suit. Join me!

We were not living in our house for months and we kept receiving water bills, we questioned them and they had someone come out and check for leaks. They said there were no leaks. We turned off the water value at our house and had lock put on our two outside faucets. Bills kept coming to the amount of $377.03.
We have since sold the house. They have the nerve to turn it over to a collection agency. Not sure what to do? Angry

Luckily, after seeing that this monopoly of racketeering was still sending bills for no service and no product, I left florida~! Now if the storms would stop following me around (a tree fell on the bus breaking a 200w @ 24v solar panel from it's array ';-(

BUT AT LEAST I'M NOT BEING EXTORTED ! WOOOO WOOOOO!

I was away from my house in Lehigh for 4 years and now my bill has accrued over $2000! How is this even possible or even LEGAL! How do these people sleep at night? It's seriously disgusting and I have no other choice but to go through these disgusting ###s. There should be legal action against them! This is a scam and theft and needs to be stopped!

I'm mystified. My bill is averaging $255 a month! This is for two retired people! They must think we stay in the shower all day long. The biggest puzzle is the sewage charges...and yes, we do flush our toilets! But most of the water usage is from a once a week lawn watering (20 min per zone) and we know that water does not go down the sewer. So how can FGUA justify charging me triple $$$ for sewage when the water is absorbed by the ground? When I called I was told that they give us a "break" by only charging us sewage charges for the first 10, 000 gallons of water. Are they kidding? This is a break?

http://watertreatmentinpasco.blogspot.com/

So I check into having a second meter installed to cover the outside usage (pool, boat, etc.) so I don't have to pay the sewer fees...and they tell me it will cost $2, 000-$3, 000...seriously? FGUA is the biggest ripoff company out there...I pay more for water/sewer than I do for electric. What can be done to stop this price gouging by them?

Got my first bill from FGUA and was SHOCKED, $86.00 for just sewer with only two people living in a house, not even full time? When I called they too seemed surprised and asked if I had a leak which I did not. Then they tried to blame it on sprinklers which I only use twice a week for about 20 minutes total. Why do I have to pay for sewerage on something that just goes in the ground? All of this makes no sense at all.

the new chemical feed facility is being build feet from this former Shamerock Heights computer store! this is a storage tank which will house 1000 gallons of pure bleach. another one in place (smaller) will store ammonia and this is 4 feet from my property! The fgua are going to cause illness and potential great hazards.
This is bigger than over billing. and I will be turning my water off tomorrow! when this is in operation, I been told in 30 days I need to be gone or get very sick ...my house will be destroyed and GOD help everyone nearby!

My water/sewage bill did not change till June of 2012. The charges increased approximately 90% for the same service I had with Mad Hatter. I have read some of the earlier comments and it seems FGUA has the same reply for all complaints about the price increase, the previous company did not take care of their equipment and that the previous companies had the OK to increase prices about 96%. What goes unsaid is that FGUA would not have monopolized the water supply in Pasco and surrounding counties if a blanket price increase had not been approved by our elected officials. If there was not the ability to make LOTS of money FGUA would not exist. I think this is another case of a few government officials knowing what is best for everybody. I do not think there should be government monopolies where private enterprises do the same thing.

My first bill with FGUA was $98. My bills from the prior water company, Mad Hatter Utility, averaged $37. This is quite an increase. When I called and asked about the usage, 7K gallons, I was told that the prior company, had they stayed in business, would have raised the rates by 94%. Well, that did not answer my question on my current bill. I now see a 'service charge' and 'base charge' on my bill for both the water and sewer before they bill for the actual usage. It was explained that the service charges were for meter maintenance and reading, other personnel, etc. I asked the rep to calculate the increase and asked why it had gone up over 250%. First, she tells me that since I have 5 people in my household, that actually 7K usage was below the normal 2.?K gal. per person (can't remember her exact 'normal usage'). Then I asked, how do you know how many people live in my house? Answer never came. Then, I explained that of the 5 people in my house there is 1 infant in diapers, 1 toddler in diapers so the water/sewer usage for toilet flushing wasn't there. Another older child was in school all day, so less water/sewer usage for toilet flushing during the day and she is not even at the house 5 days out of the month. That leaves 2 adults, #1 of which is working all day, so also, less toilet flushing. Ok, that leaves the laundry. Hmm...how many loads do you think it takes to wash the infants and toddlers clothing per week? How many loads, after the dry cleaning bill, for the working adult clothing? Dishwasher runs average 5 days per week, with #2 adult working on weekends. So, her calculations don't work out so well. Next, I do not have a sprinkler system and I have 3 rain barrels for the lawn and garden watering. Then she stated that I must have used a lot of water for the pool. Now, I am really upset! My above ground pool is in my backyard, behind a privacy fence, and then fenced again for the protection of the children. How do they know I had a pool, which, by the way, I have not added any water to since it was installed in May 2012. A lot of rain goes a long way.

None of my questions got answered. I compared my usage with a co-worker who lives in Tampa. They have 3 adults and 1 child in their house. They have a pool. They have a dishwasher. Their monthly usage is around 5-6K gallons (per month in the summer only. It is less during the winter months. They also pay a service charge on the sewer billing only. Their bill for July was $57.12 for both.

The service charge for water and base charge for sewer with FGUA is about the same as my average billing per month for the last 2 years from Mad Hatter Utility. I was told there were some water quality issues when the new company took over and they were spending money to clean the water, BUT, my milky water now is by far less appealing.

I will be taking a picture of my water meter each month from now on. If there is a meter problem, then it will need to be repaired. If there is a leak, then it will need to be prepared. If the water quality does not improve, then that will need to be repaired as well. I do not have to pay for tainted water and water that is not suitable for drinking. That is called potable water and I refuse to pay a dime for it. Time to put in a well. Hope my HOA is not going to fight me over it.

Our bill went from 59.00 a month to 165.00 their 1st month. We called and complained, they said they would send someone out. When we had Madd Hatter water, they offered for us to purchase an irrigation meter for outside, we did. This water was billed at a much lower rate. Now, they bill us a 20.00 fee on each meter to read BUT the water is all at the same rate. I tried to tell them to pull the 2nd meter BUT they don't get why. They're too stupid to figure it out. We asked for a supervisor to call us, was promised one would call that day. 4 days later, no one has called. Horrible customer service and a huge rip off.

I bought a Mobile Home in march and the previous owner had the water turned off. I use the place for just a seasonal rental so decided not to have the water turned on till early December. Lo and behold I just got a notice from the sewer company that I owed them $86.29 for April may and June . I took the bill to FGUA which is across the street; and they told me that even though I was not turning the water on till december; I still had to pay a sewer bill. I said what a rip off. They also told me I had to pay a $40.00 deposit for this account. I said why should I have to do this as I have 3 accounts with them for other homes that I have. They said that that was just the way it was. I am so upset to think they do not work with the customer at all; and was wondering is their anything that can be done. I just cannot understand how they can rip people off the way they do. Any answers you could give me would sure be appreciated. Thank you very much. My name is Raymond Maxim and I live in North Fort Myers F;lorids 33917.

THIS COMPANY IS THE BIGGEST WATER COMPANY RIPOFF OUT THERE.I AM GOING TO INSTALL A WELL AND SEWERS..IT WILL PAY FOR ITSELF IN ABOUT 3 YEARS..I HATE THIS COMPANY..THEY SHOULD BE BROUGHT UP ON CHARGES ...

NPR 34652 Rental property Tenants moves. June of 11 ~~
FGUA takes over and bills owner for connection fee !
Vacant house water shut off for safety on outside
October ~ November bill 53K gallons .
FGUA conducts a 5 gallon pail test .
Owner requests a new meter . FGUA conducts a 100 gallon test .
No meter change and now facing a disconnect .
Owner still trying to resolve the issue . Any advise will help . Facing a $650 bill
Still believe error in meter can happen in multi K increments

We bought a house and was really surprise how is water stinks from pipes that fgua provide to us.
It is normal legally poisoning people like a bugs? This is crazy, looking way to avoid this water,

We used to pay $30 to $50 a month with Lindrick and as soon as FGUA took over my bill averages $130. Our association (Gulf Harbors) gave us an email contact at FGUA and first they asked for copies of my payments to Lindrick then after I sent them they wanted copies of the bills which of course I don't have and they said the same thing about poor record keeping. I know my meter was being read because my neighbor was the one reading them for Lindrick. If anybody knows of any kind of class action I will gladly sign up.

I JUST RECIEVED MY BILL STATIONG MY METER READ AT 79...METERS HAVE 7 DIGITS. MY LAST TWO BILLS STATED I USED O GALLONS BOTH MONTHS. THIS BILL SAID I USED ONE GALLON LAST MONTH, AND USING THIS GALLON HAS INCREASED MY BILL BY 16 DOLLARS. IS 16 DOLLARS PER GALLON THE NORMAL CHARGE PER GALLON OF USAGE? THIS BILL FOR ONE GALLON OF WATER USED IS 50 DOLLARS. IM GLAD I DIDNT USE TWO GALLONS, EVEN THOUGH I USE 1-2 GALLONS IN ACUALITY PER DAY. PEOPLE NEED FIRED

FGUA sent someone out to check my meter to make sure it is reading correctly. I was told it is 99% accurate. 1 thing I do not understand is while they had the meter removed why didn't they put a new one on just to be sure. They did not they replaced with the same one. I understand that things do go up in time for inflation but how much is fair? last month my bill was 42.15 this month 145.51.. this time last year my bill was 31.67. we have had some leaks in my house and have correct it but have NEVER had a bill this high... when I have contacted FGUA in regards to this I am told they will look into it. As i have stated to them I have every bill from when I moved into my house which has been only 4 yrs and the increase is UNREAL! I use to pay between 20-30 month now I am up to 40-50 and when I did have a leak it never went above 80. Things sure have changed since FGUA has bought out Colonial Manor Utilities and not for the good I might add...

I don't understand how you can call this a non profit org. if you never return any of your profits to the customers.
How do you justify charging 3 times pr. gal. more than new port richey water.

As a side note:

WHY WEREN'T WE NOTIFIED OF A BOIL NOTICE!

I get to see this rescission after the fact!

(06/11/2010 6:07PM)
Lindrick System: Rescission of Boil Water Advisory

Man, do we need some alternatives here instead of monopolies, or what?

Firstly, This is outrageous. We contacted EPA and FEPA (I think that's the name of it) and everybody tells us the same thing, to complain to the new owners of the water here!

How do they get away with it?

How do these corporations get away with all their other crimes, take the oil spill (oops). They simply get federal subsidies (our money) to "clean up" their mistake and then have the audacity to raise the prices of oil on us. But if this WAS a Democracy then why do I get to go to jail if I dump an ounce of the same oil in the ocean?

Criminals, the whole lot of them! We don't have a government for or by the people. We have a plutocracy for and by an elite few here!

I just recieved my bill and it went from 42.15 to 145.51 they told me they would send someone out there to re-read the meter and when they called me back they told me in 7 days from last reading that I used 4000 gallons.. 4000 gallons in 7 days HOW? even when I had a leak in my house it never NEVER went above 100... that is a 3 month bill for me I can not pay this, shoot what will next month be... how can they do this and get away with it...