Water Bill from City

[hwcj]

Dear Forum, I'm from Kansas and my problem is with the City about my water bill.
I have been charged $20.00 for a water bill that say' 0 consumed. The city told me it was a service charge. I have checked with the city ordinance and this is written:
$20.00 per month for up to 1.000 gallons of water consumed I did not consumed that month any water and bill stated 0. Do I have to pay this even it is not written in the city ordinance of the water act.
Please, can you give me afvice what I can do, even written to the city but got punishment with a $10.00 late fee because only pay part of that bill. I thought when you in a dispute you can not be charged a penalty or be told they cut of the water.

hope to hear from you soon
sincerly,

Herman

 

[Some Random Guy]

Your water bill is calculated as $20 plus the per gallon rate for the water used. No water used = $20.

There is no legitimate dispute here. Your house was hooked up to city water during the month so you owe at least $20. If you want to dispute it without penalties, then pay the $20 and then file a complaint to get your money back. But based on what you have stated, you reall yowe the money.

 

[hwcj]

Penalty

Thanks you for your advice,but can they when in a dispute charge me the $10.00.
I have paid the $20.00 under protest to find out what I could do. Even the money charged for non service of $20.00 is high but nothing we can do...
In a ordinance from other state it say, a service charge of $10.00 from o to up 1.000 gallons.
In our ordinance was the writing what confusing I thought. because it say $20.00 up to 1.000 gallons of water when consumed? but I did not consumed any? Don't you think this is written wrong?
I know I'm a pain but was upset about the threats the city made to cut off the water even I paid first half of the bill and later the rest under protest.
Still upset about the $10.00 late fee while I was argu about the bill with the city in writing.
I thought they can not do this when you in a dispute plus pay part of the bill.

thank you and happy some one help me in this matter

Herman

[email protected]

 

[racer72]

You have to pay the phone bill even if you don't make any calls.
You have to pay the cable bill even if you don't turn on the TV.
You have to pay the water bill even if you don't turn on the water.
Heck, even the electic companies have fees that have to be paid even if you use no electricity.
It's part of the convenience of having such utilities available when we need them.