City fixes leaky water billing system

The approximately 700 people who pay water bills in the City of Sisters got a bit of a shock when they opened their August statement.

After discovering that the city had under-billed for water usage from May through July, city accountants adjusted the bill in August, creating a surprising jump in the billing amount.

The billing problem was caused by a technical glitch, according to city administrative finance assistant Kathy Pittman.

"The computer and the meter-reading machine weren't communicating and we didn't know it," Pittman said.

Pittman and other city staff are new to the billing procedure, she noted, and were training through summer.

Since the computer couldn't download accurate meter readings, the program estimated bills based on winter usage. Through most of the summer, lawn irrigation, the filling of swimming pools and other summer water uses went unaccounted -- and unpaid -- for.

According to Pittman, citizens brought the under-billing problem to the city's attention.

"A couple of very honest people came in and said, 'this can't be right,'" she said.

The city recalculated the water usage based on the difference between meter readings in April and August. The base usage of 10,000 gallons was subtracted out of the equation.

The city also replaced its meter-reading equipment.

Although the May-July bills were incorrectly low, Pittman said the city understands that the steep adjustment for August may be a fiscal shock.

"We are allowing people to make payments if it's a hardship for them," Pittman said. "All they have to do is call or come in."

For more information, call city hall at 549-6022, extension 2.