$11,000 Water Bill

[RobertBrown]

That looks like sch 10 pvc .....is it sch 10?
How long is the run?
What is the static pressure?

 

[RobertBrown]

I'm not sure what cross connection control is.

It's the term most water purveyors give to the method of preventing contamination to a closed system subject to connections with pressure higher than that of the water system.

 

[justinramani]

The run is about 1300 feet with a good elevation change (valley) in the middle. They used schedule 40. Attached is a picture of the pipe. I know that after the pressure reducing valve the pressure is around 60-70 psi.

 

[Billrog]

That was a small leak at the joint and the smooth hole is just warn that big and smooth from the leak looks like it's been leaking since day 1. That is good pipe I've had it buried in gravel for over 25 years now with no problem. I have repair a no. of water leaks wear the pipe looked like that just from the water pressure enlarging the hole.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

Thank you for helping protect our freedom.

I was on the board of directors of our rural water system for 25 years.

Our policy for excessive leaks such as yours was that if someone requested a water bill adjustment, they would be required to pay a 12 month average of their bill, plus all taxes on their bill. We would inform the customer that we would grant an adjustment only once in a lifetime, so if their bill was not too excessive, they may not want to take the adjustment.

Their request had to be submitted to the board in written form along with payment for the entire bill. If the bill was adjusted, we would refund their payment.

We would also consider each case and if we believed that the excessive bill was due to the customer's negligence, we may not grant the adjustment. An example of this negligence would be if the meter reader would inform the customer of a leak and the customer failed to repair it.

We never had an adjustment as large as yours.

Also remember that there is a cost to the water system to produce this water.

I would suggest your wife meet with the water system leaders and request an adjustment. And, as others have suggested, get the builder involved. If there is a 1 year warranty, it may be all on him.

If it ends up in court, sadly, it won't matter who is right or wrong, it will be determined by who has the best lawyer.

 

[CalG]

Then there is home owner's insurance.....

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

You're still under warranty.

End of discussion.

Builder pays.

All of it.

Plus, you get a new pipe installed for free, and you get it inspected before they cover it up.

Send your wife to the base legal office.

Done and done.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

That was a small leak at the joint and the smooth hole is just warn that big and smooth from the leak looks like it's been leaking since day 1. That is good pipe I've had it buried in gravel for over 25 years now with no problem. I have repair a no. of water leaks wear the pipe looked like that just from the water pressure enlarging the hole.

Abrasive swirling sand slurry! Make perfect sense. I couldn't understand why the hole looked like that. Thanks. :thumbsup:

 

[two_bit_score]

Looks like the plastic pipe melted. That is not a fracture or crack for sure. Seems to me somebody did not install properly.

I just had my water company (community well on meters) call me about abnormal water usage for the month. They monitor comparing last year's volume. Turned out I had a break in the PVC main line. 30 year old install. Water company gave me one time relief (once every 10 years) for paying the surcharge for the water. I would talk to you water company and builder. Maybe have an independent guy come out to inspect and determine cause. The builder won't be your friend most likely.

It's right at the joint too.

TBS

 

[4570Man]

That looks like 1" PVC? I don't think that pipe could carry that much water at that rate. Let alone the small hole.

 

[Cataclysm]

Well - its pure sand. Water leaches away pretty quickly. The pipe is about 2 feet deep or so. We have had multiple repairs on the line in the last year. We still have a few weeks left on the warranty. I have told the builder that I want the line replaced. He has not yet responded. I just can't imagine that that hole in the pipe was naturally created. The water dept is working with us a little, but the bill will still be in the thousands.....

OK, now were are getting somewhere. Did the other leaking pipes/damage to the pipes look like this one?

 

[Cataclysm]

I see purple primer and maybe some clear glue on that joint. Properly done it should have held.

Were a number of the other leaks at joints?

 

[justinramani]

The pipe is 2inch and the meter Is 1.5. The county is convinced that the reading is accurate.

 

[justinramani]

Yes, I know that at least two other leaks occurred at joints. I don't think those leaks were nearly as big.

 

[justinramani]

It's hard for me to believe that a hole that size @ 60 psi could flow at a rate of 50 gpm. It just doesn't seem plausible.

 

[ruffdog]

Yes, I know that at least two other leaks occurred at joints. I don't think those leaks were nearly as big.

Two other leaks...good grief! Thank goodness they were small leaks! It sure seems like it is a glue problem.

 

[justinramani]

What do y'all think about the replacement line. I'm going to have it replaced. The options are 200 psi HDPE in 500 foot sections or PVC again. The pvc would have over 50 connections. The black pipe would have three.

 

[boggen]

What do y'all think about the replacement line. I'm going to have it replaced. The options are 200 psi HDPE in 500 foot sections or PVC again. The pvc would have over 50 connections. The black pipe would have three.

x2, i generally just call it black poly pipe/hose. less connections, and the hose goes with the trench it is put in, if the hose is put in correctly. snaked / weaved / wave pattern (side to side) within the trench. it can move back and forth up and down some without putting extra stress on anything.

sch40 or like pvc hard pipe. does not really give. and any slight angles tends to put stress on at the joints. or not fully seated joints.

sch40 pvc and like joints, can be rather troublesome, if not pressure tested, before being burried, and inspected. even after being buried. if the pipes were not properly chemical welded (most folks call it glued), the pipes can still come apart.

if the trench is not properly back filled with clean soil (no rocks and other junk in it) along with compacting the trench as it is back filled. the pipe can end up cracking/breaking more easily. as everything settles over time, resulting in empty voids under sections of the pipe.

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check local city/township/county building office. they should have records for inspections.

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with others get another plumber out there, and get a bid to repair. before it is actually repaired. so you have something else for documentation if it goes ugly. keep orginals and only give out copies to others if need be.

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small claims = small claims court. no lawyers allowed in court room, atleast here it is, if it goes that far. see what max amount can be asked for. to see if small claims court is possible.

get your documentation, pictures around.

when taking to small claims, make sure you get the builder, plumber, and anyone else involved. on same suit. so they can not pass the buck to someone else, saying it was this or that person or company fault.

 

[Toyboy]

Up north here they use the flexible black plastic pipe that comes in a large coil. It's buried in all kinds of soil in a bed of sand. I don't know what they call it, but I'd never use the rigid plastic pipe for anything but drain. Indoor plumbing has gone from copper to PEX also. Home runs, no joints and tough.

 

[Rustyiron]

The run is about 1300 feet with a good elevation change (valley) in the middle. They used schedule 40. Attached is a picture of the pipe. I know that after the pressure reducing valve the pressure is around 60-70 psi. View attachment 509302

The pic in this post show's the pipe is "DWV". I'm not a licensed plumber but as far as I know the "DWV" means Drain-Waste-Vent, only!