Numerous residents of one major Canadian city were recently socked with a high water bill, and officials aren't sure why, according to local news reports.
The Toronto city ombudsman's office released a report on April 4 concerning the high water bills, according to the Toronto Star. Some of the bills were as much as five times higher than usual. Officials dispatched plumbers to various homes to check for water leaks, but none could be found. Water meters were also found to be in perfect working order, prompting the city to enforce the higher-than-usual charges.
One elderly woman faced a bill of nearly $1,300 for water use during the winter of 2010-11, according to the Star. City officials first speculated she had filled her swimming pool or used her sprinkler more than usual, but the woman pointed out that she neither has a pool, nor would she be watering her lawn during a Canadian winter.
The Canadian Finance Blog offers consumers a few tips about water conservation. Use low-flow shower heads, turn off the water while brushing teeth or shaving, and constantly be on the lookout for water leaks, blog authors suggest.
