Dear Editor,

I received, via email, my bill from National Water Commission (NWC) this morning and was disturbed to see that a “recalculation of estimations” had increased my bill amount by $3,188.06. When I called to query this amount, I was advised by a very polite customer service agent, Kerry-Ann, that since the meter had not been read for my last bill, the “correction” was now being done.

While I can understand the technicality of what the NWC is doing, I cannot help but feel that I am being taken advantage of as the entire household works Mondays to Fridays so we can pay bills, yet we are being punished for not being at home to facilitate its meter readers whom it only sends out Mondays to Fridays when most households are at work.

Additionally, I have told the NWC on several occasions that only on Wednesday mornings (7:00 – 11:00 am) will someone be at home to facilitate the meter reading. Clearly this impasse can only be solved in one of two ways: either send the meter readers out on weekends, or move the meter so that it can be accessed without having to enter the premises.

We have no problem with Jamaica Public Service reading the electricity meter.

Also, I have replied to NWC’s e-mail to cease the delivery of hard copy bills for this account, but to date this has not been done.

I will again pay what I consider to be an extortionist bill, on time and in full, assured in the knowledge that people who abide by the rules in Jamaica never seem to get fair treatment from utility companies like the NWC.

Elisa Spence

Kingston 8

elisa.spence@gmail.com