THE THIRSTY GOPHER
We are 86 year old residents of Sun City West, AZ who have lived here since 1998. We previously lived in Fountain Hills for 18 years. We have always been conservative with water use knowing water is especially sacred in a desert. I am a geologist who worked as a geophysicist for major oil companies all over the world. We have never had a water problem during this time until September 2010.
We usually spend a few summer months in the White Mountains as we did this past year, returning in mid-September. We have an excellent landscaper who watches over our house and watering system including turning off all water to the house. Our average monthly consumption has been 5000 to 6000 gallons with a maximum of 10000 about once per year. We have a neighbor who walks her dog around our property 2 or 3 times a day. She has immediately notified other neighbors who have any water runoff. Our billing for the period September 12 to October 13, 2010 was for consumption of approximately 156000 gallons!!!!! Our landscaper and irrigation expert helped me as we checked the meter readings for a couple of weeks. We found the meter stopped moving when the house and watering system were closed and normal recording when a faucet valve was opened. No leak was found in the system and no water runoff was found. With no “fixing” or other changes the system seemed to work.
I was told I had to pay for the 156000 but could have the meter checked by American Arizona Water which I did. They found the meter worked properly and I had to pay $10 as well for the test. I do not know if they tested the same meter or not. The office manager said it was probable that the water had gone down a gopher hole!! Imagine 3012 fifty gallon barrels of water just disappearing???
I know of several other Sun City West Homeowners who have had similar problems but also find Az American Water will not help them.
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