Northeast Houston mother and daughter see $3,000 bill deducted months after filing paperwork for water leak adjustment

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A woman and her 94-year-old mother spent months trying to get to the bottom of a more than $3,000 water bill the elderly woman received.

Hattie Chatmon lives alone in the Eastex Jensen area. She said she only used the water for washing dishes, clothes and taking baths. She even only drinks bottled water.

His daughter, Betty Chatmon Coleman, makes sure his bills are paid.

When she found out her mother’s water bill exceeded $3,000 in early 2024, she said she was stunned. Her bill shows that usage is almost off the charts, but she hasn’t changed any of her habits.

They called a plumber who noted a “small leak” on his bill, but it wasn’t something either mother or daughter had ever noticed.

For months, Chatmon Coleman said she has been calling the city to reduce the bill. She said her mother couldn’t afford such a high bill.

“My lunch break is 30 minutes, and every Friday, this is what I do during my lunch period,” Chatmon Coleman said. “I’m trying to deal with this. It’s crazy.”

She filed paperwork for a leak fix with the city and said she was told to call back every month about the request.

“I’m holding on, but it’s frustrating for me,” Chatmon Coleman said. “I did everything I could. I even wrote to the mayor. I didn’t get a response from him. Something has to be done. My mother is 90 years old. Why should she worry on this subject ?”

ABC13 contacted Houston Public Works and they immediately looked into his account.

A department spokesperson attributed the higher-than-normal bill to a leak at her home and a winter storm. The city made adjustments to its bill, reducing it from $3,373.59 to $13.92.

Chatmon Coleman and her mother were overwhelmed with excitement at the news.

In a statement, a spokesperson said, “Houston Public Works encourages customers to contact Customer Account Services at 713-371-1400 to resolve billing issues. We recently launched in-person or virtual appointments to help clients. They can schedule them online. at HoustonWaterBills.org or by calling the number above.

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