CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — We've lived here almost 30 years we never had a bill like that before,” said Orlando Becerra.
Becerra lives on Crestwater Dr. with his wife, who like him, is disabled. He says he first received a high bill back in October 2018.
When he called the Corpus Christi Water Department, asking why his bill was so high, he says he was told it was an error and his bill would be adjusted.
“We were getting letters from them not to worry about it because they were changing to the new system and all of a sudden, the bill started going to $600, $500, $400,” said Becerra.
When his bill continued to be in the $600's Becerra called the City again and was told someone would come check and make sure his water meter was working properly.
He then got a letter saying there was no problem with his meter, but he says for a household of two, that was hard to believe.
“They got to do something,” said Becerra.
Now, he says the City has told him, if he doesn't pay the balance, they'll shut the water off to his house.
“I’m going to have to get a loan and pay off the balance because I can’t be without water, my wife is on disability and we got to have our water,” said Becerra.
He says he plans to buy a private water meter, so that he can start comparing his gauge against the City's gauge.
“I’m not refusing to pay you know everybody has to pay, the issue is why do we have to pay for something that is not correct, it’s just unjust,” said Becerra.