Dear Claudienne,
I live overseas and I came to Jamaica and bought a house in Trelawny in September 2022. I rented the house from September 2022-June 2023.

The tenant moved out of the house. No one occupied the house for about six months after the tenant left. I went to the house once in August 2023.

In October 2023 I got a water bill from NWC [National Water Commission] for $202,000. November’s bill in that same year was about $15,000. No human had been at the property for six months.

I wrote to the NWC about the exorbitant bill and was told I should make small payments. The NWC came and changed the meter, and the following month the bill was $600.

The NWC indicated there was no leak in the house nor damage. I took the matter to the OUR [Office of Utilities Regulation] and waited almost one year for a decision. I learned of the final decision of the OUR on the matter after the NWC disconnected the water supply, and I sent an e-mail to the OUR.

The OUR told me that they had sent me the result via mail because they didn’t have an e-mail address for me, I found this very strange as I had been conversing via e-mail with one Jodian Coultman from the OUR.

I was unhappy with the decision by the OUR that I had consumed that much water and had to pay the bill. I wanted to appeal, but unfortunately, I could not, because the final decision letter came by email 10 days past the time to appeal.

No final decisions from the OUR came to me via mail as the OUR stated, and I have all the documents to prove this.

The water bill for September 2025 was $264,000 and every August to September the water bill is over $200,000.

Your assistance to have this matter resolved will be appreciated.

VB

Dear VB,
The Tell Claudienne column has been in communication with Horace Binns, the NWC’s acting regional manager for St James/Trelawny, in respect of your concerns and has received the following e-mail from him:

“Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention for a further review.

Please be advised that a full investigation was conducted into all issues outlined by VB with respect to the account for the referenced property. This investigation included a comprehensive review of the relevant records, as well as the findings arising from the related assessments.

Notably, subsequent to the query regarding the October 2023 bill, the water meter associated with that period was tested and found to be accurate.
Based on the outcome of this investigation, it was determined that the bill issued for October 2023 was correct and therefore payable.

With respect to the elevated bills for September 2025, please note that this relates to a different meter installed at the property. The property was inspected on September 25, 2025, during which a leak was identified at the toilet. The meter in service at that time was also tested and found to be registering accurately.

The National Water Commission remains committed to transparency and fairness in its processes.

VB is therefore advised to closely monitor water usage at the property and to ensure that all leaks are repaired expeditiously.

As all issues raised have now been fully ventilated and addressed, the query on the account has been closed.

Should any additional clarification be required, please feel free to ask,” Binns stated.

When Tell Claudienne told you that the NWC manager had insisted that you were correctly billed, you were sceptical and pointed out that even though you had not fixed the “alleged toilet water leak”, the NWC bill for May 2026 was $5,089.10 and for June 2026, $7,661.85.

Charles Buchanan, corporate public relations manager at the NWC, said that when your property was inspected on September 25, 2025, and a leak was identified at the toilet, “please note that this was pointed out to the person representing the property who was present at the time”.

The NWC spokesman said that even though you claim that no repairs have been done to the toilet, at the time of the NWC inspection on September 25, 2025, the toilet flapper ball connection that can cause temporary leaks could have been the cause of the leak at that time.

“It’s possible that there was no external leak and that the leak could be stopped by jiggling the handle valve,” Buchanan argued.

The NWC spokesman said that the current status of your account is due to two payments that were made after a disconnection was done in April.

“As is indicated on this other bill (attached) for the intervening period between the two bills you sent me, a partial payment of $150,000.00 was made. That accounts for the reduced amount reflected on the last bill, which you shared for the consumption between April 24 and May 16, 2026. This bill reflects the payment of the remaining $144,731.31 (including the disconnection/reconnection charges), thankfully clearing the account of all arrears and allowing for a reconnection of the account on April 27.
I trust this and the attached clarifies and settles the issue”, Buchanan said.

We wish you all the best.

Have a problem with a store, utility, or company? Telephone 876- 936-9436 or CELL/whatsapp # 876-484-1349 or write to: Tell Claudienne c/o Sunday Finance, Jamaica Observer, 40-42 1/2 Beechwood Avenue, Kingston 5; or e-mail: edwardsc@jamaicaobserver.com. Please include a contact phone number.