Mika
Junior Nomad
Posts: 60
Registered: 1-8-2009
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Problem with Water Use in Baja Property
We have a small casita and we keep it unoccupied when we are not there. We had some water issues before but this time, I think something have to be
done but I have no idea what to do.
The problem is that we are just told that we have over $10000 (MXN) water usage bill for the past 10 months. This is the year we could not get down
to Baja and the only use is for the gardener to water the yard (which is small) a few times a week. We have received high water bills in the past,
but it was not any close to this.
Our gardener insists that he does not leave the water running, but there is no way to confirm this. I did hear a rumor that neighbor was using water
too.
Is there a way to secure the water usage? and is there anything we can ask the water department? . . . or just get another gardener?
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gnukid
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Call the water company, they will make an investigation. You need to provide evidence for your case and show that the usage is not in line with your
use. People do steal water and there are leaks too.
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Marc
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Check for leaks & then get a new gardener.
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bajabuddha
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Your neighbors and community thank you very much for your support. 
I don't have a BUCKET LIST, but I do have a F***- IT LIST a mile long!
86 - 45*
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Russ
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budda, that was totally uncalled for! Be helpful if you can. That's a lot of money and if you were in a similar position you might not be so flippant.
Mika, good luck! I would install a shut off for the house water. A stuck or leaking toilet valve can use an unbelievable amount of water. I think the
gardener screwed up it happens.
Bahia Concepcion where life starts...given a chance!
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woody with a view
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google "locking ball valve" or something similar. find a spot to install it where the water comes into the meter or just after.
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monoloco
Elite Nomad
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Install an air relief valve in front of the meter. When the water goes off and then comes back on, the air in the line will cause the meter to spin
very rapidly, and you will be charged for water that you never received.
"The future ain't what it used to be"
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David K
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Quote: Originally posted by monoloco  | | Install an air relief valve in front of the meter. When the water goes off and then comes back on, the air in the line will cause the meter to spin
very rapidly, and you will be charged for water that you never received. |
Interesting!
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bajalearner
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Who told you of the amount you owe? Was if the gardener? If someone is stealing your water, he might graduate to other thefts.
Do you have internet/electricity there that you could set up a camera to view your house from anywhere in the world.
Is there a neighbor close by and trustworthy that you could pay a reasonable monthly amount to watch the place? Someone who would call the cops if
needed.
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BajaGringo
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10,000 pesos of water use is a LOT of water. If it were a leak it would have to a gusher to run up that kind of bill. A simple toilet valve leaking or
dripping faucet could never even approach 10% of that amount. Obviously you have one or more neighbors filling their pilas from your outside hose tap.
Can you have the service shut off if you are going to be absent for extended period of time?
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RnR
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Where are you in Baja?
Sapa, in and around La Paz, changed a lot of meters in the last year and this year there are several reports of defective meters with astronomical
amounts of water use. Sapa is re-installing those defective meters.
And:
The air bubble story is true. During periods of high usage, Sapa turns on and off the water service to various parts of the town. When the water
lines are re-filled, the air in the lines "freewheels" the meters and can run up thousands of meters of use before the water actually gets to the
meter. An air relief valve installed just ahead of the meter will bleed the trapped air from the line before it goes through the meter.
Good luck w/ Sapa.
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BajaRat
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Pay your neighbor to water your plants and keep an eye out, suspend your water service while your away 
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Jaybo
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| Quote: Originally posted by monoloco | | Install an air relief valve in front of the meter. When the water goes off and then comes back on, the air in the line will cause the meter to spin
very rapidly, and you will be charged for water that you never received. |
I've seen that on our fuel pump at work as well. There was a big discrepancy one month when fueling equipment and the tank was dry while it continued
to pump air. At least in this case it can be rectified with how much fuel was actually delivered, water through lines not so much...
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ncampion
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How about a check valve upstream from the water meter.
Living Large in Loreto. Off-grid and happy.
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mexicali-kid
Junior Nomad
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Had the same problem. CESPT installed a locking meter and solved the problem.
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monoloco
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Location: Pescadero BCS
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Need to use an air relief valve, they are about 100
pesos at any plumbing supply.
"The future ain't what it used to be"
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LaTijereta
Super Nomad
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Registered: 8-27-2003
Location: Loreto
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Sorry for the high bill headache..
You should be able to get copies of your neighbors' bills and take them to the water company to plead your "overcharge" case. This is the case in
Loreto, and I have heard of Water Company will reduce your bill to match what is normal for the area..
Buena Suerte..
Democracy is like two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.
Ben Franklin (1759)
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gpm414
Junior Nomad
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How about more details on the valve. What is it called in spanish? Maybe a picture? Sounds like a good idea since our bills can unexpectedly high,
then normal for no reason we can see. When our water has been off then comes back on...there is usually air pockets that blast through as the water
comes back. Always wondered what the meter is doing was the air blasts by.
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Mika
Junior Nomad
Posts: 60
Registered: 1-8-2009
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Thank you soooo much for great info and advice. I have made a list of things to try based on the suggestions that came up here. The first thing we
will do when we arrive in Baja, of course, is go to the water department and really talk to the people there.
After I posted this I spoke with my husband. I forgot about it, and he reminded me that we have put a cement enclosure around the meter/main with a
locked grate above. The gardener has the key, so he is supposed to lock/unlock it to release the water when he goes to water the yard. There is an
outside faucet side of the house which the gardener uses (and if it's being stolen, this one is being used.)
So to us, it seems obvious that the only reason water could leak or stolen is because the main shut off at the meter is not turned off, but without
being there we cannot accuse the gardener. . .
And, if the gardener keeps forgetting the water to be "locked" each time we would still have the same problem. And if that's because of a leak
somewhere in the ground, that's a lot of water that will be very visible. . .
Maybe what we should do is to build another enclosure to hide and store the outside faucet. Something like miniature version of outside shed? This
will at least be a fool proof when the gardener does not shut off from the main. . . .
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