QUICK SUMMARY
Gilbert resident Amy Bejarano discovered her water bill reflected over 50,000 gallons of usage monthly, far exceeding the average of 20,000 gallons. A subsequent inspection revealed that an automated water meter had malfunctioned since its installation nearly a year ago.
Amy Bejarano, a Gilbert resident, was alarmed when her water bill showed a usage of over 50,000 gallons monthly, starkly contrasting with the average of less than 20,000 gallons for local homes. After reporting the discrepancy, a Gilbert water employee inspected her meter in September, discovering that a newly installed automated meter had not been recording accurately. This malfunction had likely been ongoing since the meter's installation nearly a year ago. The situation has led to considerable frustration among residents who fear similar billing errors may impact them financially. Local officials are under pressure to investigate and rectify the water meter issues to prevent further inaccuracies. Accurate water billing is essential for maintaining community trust and ensuring that residents are not unfairly charged. Authorities may consider reviewing the entire automated meter system to prevent recurrence of such problems. This incident raises broader questions about infrastructure reliability and customer service in municipal utilities.