When a homeowner was shocked to receive a hundreds-dollar water bill while their house sat vacant for weeks, they suspected their neighbor might be to blame.
The homeowners explained in a Reddit post that their jobs require frequent travel, leaving the house empty for long periods of time. That’s why a $311 water bill immediately raised red flags. Even though no one was home, the home used about 33,000 gallons of water in just a few weeks, according to the water company.
The next month, another bill came, this time for $486. When technicians inspected the property, they reportedly found no leaks. Instead, the technician told the homeowner: “It’s obvious someone is turning your water on and off.”
The original poster did the math – in two and a half years of normal life, their home used 136,000 gallons of water, but 100,000 of that came from the last two months they were gone.
Here’s another questionable detail: “My neighbor’s lawn looks like a golf course. It’s very green, well watered, and well maintained. He usually waters it at least once a day.” The homeowner noted that their outdoor water system is located along the property line and can be accessed from next door.
Advice began pouring in, urging homeowners to install cameras so they could catch their neighbors if they were the perpetrators.
Some believe thefts may be harder to detect. “I would be wary of the hidden lines he adds,” one Reddit user wrote.
This is another example of how bad neighbors can lead to higher costs, tensions, and even expensive measures to resolve disputes, including security systems and litigation. For example, some neighbors have been caught stealing power from accessible electrical panels through outdoor plugs or more sophisticated technical means.
For people trying to live more sustainably, such controversies can act as a barrier to climate-friendly choices. However, homeowners can protect themselves by contacting the authorities or involving a homeowners association if necessary (here’s how to fight your HOA if it’s the source of trouble). “No Trespassing” signs and security cameras are also effective deterrents.
On the Reddit post, there were more than 900 comments reacting to the story.
One person wrote: “My former neighbor built a detached garage years ago and had water piped in after his water meter, but luckily before ours. This went on for several years until the pipes started leaking and no one knew.”
Another netizen said: “Take your time. Collect solid evidence. This is the only way to conduct a thorough investigation against the thief and repay the water bill he charged.”
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