Nancy and Dan Swanson got a surprise when they read their March 2021 water bill. It was $1,305. According to Nancy, they were not at their home one day in March. The couple reside in Idyllwild Water District’s territory. A typical water bill, according to Nancy, ranges from $35 to $40 and at times a little bit higher. April’s bill was $43. The property has a septic tank.
The Swansons stayed off the mountain late February through early April. Before they left, they turned off the water inside the house and drained the pipes. They did not turn off the water at the street because it is on a slope, and at that time, was covered in ice.
They received a call from their neighbor at the beginning of April letting them know the district was turning off their water at the street.
The amount of the March bill was quite a surprise. Nancy said they monitored the meter four times a day for four consecutive days and determined there was no leak. Nancy said when they contacted the district, General Manager Leo Havener said he would be out to look at it. According to Nancy, he sent IWD’s Chief Financial Officer Hosny Shouman, who determined nothing was wrong with the meter.
The district, according to Nancy, also determined there was no leak.
“We had to pay the bill,” Nancy said. “There was no forgiveness. Nothing!”
After doing some research, Nancy said the equivalent to the amount of the bill is 64,000-plus gallons of water. She said the average home uses about 3,000 gallons of water per person per month.
The district determined the water was stolen. However, Nancy told the newspaper that camera footage of the property did not reveal anyone trespassing and no sign of footprints or digging were found. Nancy also mentioned that neighbors, who are very alert, saw nothing. So, the Swansons called the sheriff’s department to report it and a deputy responded. According to Nancy, the deputy was going to talk to the district, but she has not heard back.
The newspaper contacted the sheriff’s department and left a message for the deputy to follow up. As of press time, no contact had been made by the deputy.
The newspaper also contacted Havener asking, “Was any forgiveness or investigation done regarding the Swansons’ $1,305 March water bill? Was there an issue with the meter or the reading? Who from the district went out to the property to investigate? How many gallons of water does that equate to?” No response was received by press time.