Those within Cowlitz county, served by Cowlitz County Public Works are being over charged due to inflated and fraudulent water meter readings each month. 

In the county, meters are not the newer meters that can be read remotely. The meters have to be physically seen and read to get an accurate usage for each individual home. Water Meter Readers have been driving by our properties without stopping to actually read our meters. They have been putting down estimates of our water usage and generating a bill based on that estimate. In at least two instances this year, Cowlitz County Public Works has sent out a second Meter Reader to audit their main Meter Reader. In doing so, the second Reader failed to use their own gathered readings and instead based their findings off of the first Reader’s information. The first Reader being the one that estimated water usage instead of actually reading each individual meter. This practice is not an accurate or professional way to audit readings and generate a bill.

You will continue to overpay for water usage if things stay the same. In this economy, every penny is precious. Having a water bill that’s over $200 has caused some to have to choose between having their water shut off or providing food and shelter for their families. 

It’s time to take a stand and ask our public officials to help! Paying for water you did not use is ridiculous and theft of our hard earned money. We are seeking relief from this injustice, an investigation into the policies and practices of water meter readers, an upgrade to more reliable meter systems and payment for overages. 

Help us, help yourself, by signing this petition to show our County Officials that we are in solidarity on this matter!