Moving into a brand new home, with a new lawn, in Apollo Beach, Tom Nelson , expected his water bill to be about $75. Imagine his surprise when his first month's water bill was $1089.67. "I was in complete shock went into a panic thinking my water is going to be shut off," said Nelson.
He called the builder , who sent a plumber and the sprinkler installer to check for leaks but they didn't find any. "I thought there could be a severe leak underground, but it said we used 144,000 gallons of water in one month that would have washed my whole house away," said Nelson.
To get an idea of how much water 144,000 gallons is, it's enough to fill 14 average sized swimming pools. That's a lot of water for three adults and a 6 month old baby in a home with new energy efficient appliances and a sprinkler system set to water only twice a week.
The next bill came in at $530.67. Nelson put locks on his outside water spigots and called 8 On Your Side for help. Then Nelson learned he's not the only one on the block with a high water bill. Next door neighbor Marla Murphy just moved in January 4th. Her first bill was $741.39. "I about fell out of my chair. I didn't know what to think," said Murphy. She had some small sprinkler leaks repaired, but her meter shows she's still on track to use the same amount.
I took their questions Hillsborough County Water Dept. director, John Lyons. He admits they inadvertently charged the Nelson's for a month's worth of the builder's water bill. "We made an error...quite honest with you..on the billing. When the meter and the account was switched over from the builder to the homeowner,we go out and do a meter read on that and on the Nelson's, we made a mistake," said Lyons. He agreed to give the Nelson's a $620 credit. But he found no error in the Murphy's meter reading.
That left both homeowners with high monthly water bills of more than $500. Lyons said those high bills can be attributed to watering their new lawns. Irrigation systems can use up to 20 gallons of water per minute, and it adds up quickly on Hillsborough county's tiered water billing system.
Friday, May 24 2013 9:57 AM EDT2013-05-24 13:57:07 GMT
A 4-year-old K9 Officer, Ike, with Hernando County Sheriff Office K9 Unit passed away unexpectedly Thursday after an emergency surgery, Sheriff Al Nienhuis told us.
A 4-year-old K9 Officer, Ike, with Hernando County Sheriff Office K9 Unit passed away unexpectedly Thursday after an emergency surgery, Sheriff Al Nienhuis told us.
Friday, May 24 2013 8:44 AM EDT2013-05-24 12:44:14 GMT
Craft breweries from around the country including Tampa's Cigar City Brewing are toasting the troops with a beer aged with a unique ingredient that symbolizes America's pastime - baseball bats.
Craft breweries from around the country including Tampa's Cigar City Brewing are toasting the troops with a beer aged with a unique ingredient that symbolizes America's pastime - baseball bats.
Friday, May 24 2013 6:44 AM EDT2013-05-24 10:44:05 GMT
Whether the controversial Lens is ever constructed, the current St. Petersburg Pier is closing. This is the last weekend you can stroll along the iconic landmark or shop inside the inverted pyramid.
Whether the controversial Lens is ever constructed, the current St. Petersburg Pier is closing. This is the last weekend you can stroll along the iconic landmark or shop inside the inverted pyramid.
Friday, May 24 2013 12:13 PM EDT2013-05-24 16:13:39 GMT
Is there such a thing as a high-tech bikini body? When exercise and a healthy lifestyle still don't yield the results you want there is a newly approved FDA skin tightening device.
Is there such a thing as a high-tech bikini body? When exercise and a healthy lifestyle still don't yield the results you want there is a newly approved FDA skin tightening device.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:53 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:53:22 GMT
The state admits it dropped the ball, but 51 year old Wes Diebold lost his license over a 2 dollar mistake.
Looking for a job is tough enough these days but how much tougher does having a suspended driver's license make things? 51 year old Wes Diebold doesn't know for sure if his suspended license was a roadblock.
Looking for a job is tough enough these days but how much tougher does having a suspended driver's license make things? 51 year old Wes Diebold doesn't know for sure if his suspended license was a roadblock.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 2:30 PM EDT2013-05-21 18:30:01 GMT
The Obridge Academy is a virtual school with a virtual Florida headquarters and a virtual track record of performance. But under new legislation awaiting the signature of Governor Rick Scott it could
The Obridge Academy is a virtual school with a virtual Florida headquarters and a virtual track record of performance.
Monday, May 20 2013 5:56 PM EDT2013-05-20 21:56:22 GMT
The weather is getting warm in the bay area and pest control experts say it's bringing out dry wood termites. "The phones are ringing off the hook now because the termites are swarming," said exterminator
The weather is getting warm in the bay area and pest control experts say it's bringing out dry wood termites. "The phones are ringing off the hook now because the termites are swarming," said exterminator
Friday, May 17 2013 7:36 AM EDT2013-05-17 11:36:31 GMT
As the news of Angelina Jolie brings awareness to the fight against breast cancer there is a major medical breakthrough thanks to a nationwide study with the largest number of participants at USF.
As the news of Angelina Jolie brings awareness to the fight against breast cancer there is a major medical breakthrough thanks to a nationwide study with the largest number of participants at USF.
Friday, May 17 2013 4:58 PM EDT2013-05-17 20:58:08 GMT
The 'Great May Giveaway' is underway. Now through May 24, you have a chance to win tablets, tickets and more! All this week we're giving away an Apple iPad mini , every weekday morning.
The 'Great May Giveaway' is underway. Now through May 24, you have a chance to win tablets, tickets and more! All this week we're giving away an Apple iPad mini , every weekday morning.
Friday, May 24 2013 6:44 AM EDT2013-05-24 10:44:05 GMT
Whether the controversial Lens is ever constructed, the current St. Petersburg Pier is closing. This is the last weekend you can stroll along the iconic landmark or shop inside the inverted pyramid.
Whether the controversial Lens is ever constructed, the current St. Petersburg Pier is closing. This is the last weekend you can stroll along the iconic landmark or shop inside the inverted pyramid.
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:29 PM EDT2013-05-23 16:29:23 GMT
Kmart has launched the latest in what appears to be an edgy string of commercials. In April, one of its commercial went viral for a play on words. Explaining the ease of shipping a product to a customer
Kmart has launched the latest in what appears to be an edgy string of commercials. In April, one of its commercial went viral for a play on words. Explaining the ease of shipping a product to a customer
Friday, May 24 2013 6:57 AM EDT2013-05-24 10:57:06 GMT
Dan Sligh and his wife were in their pickup truck on Interstate 5 heading to a camping trip when a bridge before them disappeared in a "big puff of dust."
Dan Sligh and his wife were in their pickup truck on Interstate 5 heading to a camping trip when a bridge before them disappeared in a "big puff of dust."
