Homeowner Must Pay $883.12 Bill Caused by Leak, Water District Rules

Despite pleas by a property owner, Ramona Municipal Water District directors this week denied a request to modify a water bill of $883.12 — more than four times the property's two-month average.

District staff had informed Miguel Garza on Sept. 20 that there was a leak in the water pipes leading to his house south of Ramona on Cloudy Moon Drive. General Manager Ralph McIntosh explained that since the leak was on the private property side of the meter, the leak and excess water use are the owner's responsibility.

McIntosh said district workers discovered the leak when reading Garza's meter in September, which meant it would have occurred between the billing periods of July 20 and Sept. 20. The workers immediately shut off the valve and notified the customer, McIntosh said.

Garcia, who purchased his house five years ago, said the water line runs between two private properties and that while his property is on Cloudy Moon Drive, the meter is a quarter mile away on Rockhouse Road.

"I've never had a major problem with it before," Garza told the board at the Dec. 14 meeting. "It's hard to detect when you have a leak. It's bad terrain. You have to get on your hands and knees [to reach the meter]. I had no idea when I bought that property that the meter was so far away."

Garza suggested the leak could have been caused by a surge in water pressure in August when the district transferred equipment from Hedy Lane to the Boulder Tank property on Mount Woodson Road. McIntosh indicated that would be unlikely since there would have been less pressure fluctuation and a more consistent pressure at that time. In addition, he said there have been no other customer complaints from that area.

Garza also asked the water district about placing the water pipes on his property underground and installing a pressure valve. The directors told Garza that an alteration such as this would be at his expense and that he would be responsible for making the arrangements.

District staff will continue to work with Garza on payment arrangements for his water bill, according to McIntosh.

In other business, the board gave the go-ahead for Ramona Parks and Recreation Association to begin the process of building a snack bar and restroom facility at Ramona Community Park. The proposal is for a 1,100-square-foot building near the park's amphitheater. The association is responsible for all operations, maintenance and construction in the park while the water district maintains ownership of the land. Arty Thomsen told the board that he will return to them with building plans before construction begins.

The board also approved resolutions of appreciation for outgoing board members Jim Robinson and George Boggs, whose last meeting will be Dec. 28. The certificates will be presented then. Robinson and Boggs abstained from voting on approving the resolutions.

"We've covered a lot of ground in 16 years here," Robinson said of his time as a director. "I've seen a few general managers come and go, and a lot of board members come and go at times. I've really enjoyed working with this board."

Newly elected directors Joe Zenovic and Kit Kesinger will be installed at the Jan. 11 meeting.