By Jack Nicas, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
TAMPA — A debate is brewing between the city's water department and dozens of residents demanding to know why their water bills skyrocketed.
After inspecting about a dozen complaints last week, the city said Tuesday that leaks or over-watering caused the high bills, and homeowners are responsible for at least a portion of the costs.
"Every single one we've investigated so far show leaks of all kinds on private property," said water department spokesman Elias Franco. "There is no indication whatsoever" the city is at fault for the high bills.
But some of those homeowners are not convinced. And now a new crop of even higher bills has shown up in New Tampa.
"We didn't all just spring leaks in December," said Greg Frick of Tampa Palms, where one resident was billed over the past two months for ...