Virginia restaurant receives $51,594 water bill after meter error
A damaged meter transmitter recorded zero consumption for three years, leading to a single month bill exceeding $50,000 for a Richmond eatery.
A restaurant in Richmond, Virginia, has been issued a water bill of $51,594.99 after a damaged meter transmitter recorded zero water consumption for three years, according to the Times of India.
Social 52 Kitchen and Craft Bar said the Department of Public Utilities billed the establishment more than $50,000 in one month due to a billing error dating back to 2023.
The department stated that it recently introduced process improvements to verify zero consumption reads for meters. During this process, workers found the transmitter at the restaurant was damaged.
Co-owner James Baldwin told 8News he was unaware of the issue because the company's water and gas bills are on autopay. Baldwin questioned why the problem was not identified sooner, suggesting a systemic issue.
The Department of Public Utilities explained that when no consumption is reported, customers are only charged a monthly service charge. The department told 8News that its priority is ensuring bill accuracy and working with customers to make payments manageable.
Social 52 opened in 2013 and previously underwent a three-month remodel in 2018, according to Richmond BizSense.