BEAUMONT, Texas — A family is Beaumont are fed up with their water troubles after getting a $400 water bill after they've been dealing with low water pressure for months.
The Williams family lives on Joachimi Street in Beaumont, and for the past two months they've been dealing with low water pressure, while also having an expensive water bills.
Pamela Williams and her son haven't been able to take a proper shower, using wash clothes to bathe instead. They have also been using buckets of water to flush their toilets.
"How can I have a $400 water bill when I've not had any water," said Williams.
The low water pressure started in early September, according to Williams. Around that same time, her usual $100 water bill skyrocketed to $250.
She reached out to the City of Beaumont in early October and they told her to hire a plumber.
"Well in October we had a plumber come out. We had no leak. I have a bill here where you can look and where he told us what to do to try and make water come in the commode. But how can you get water to go to come over when you have no water pressure?" Williams said.
Then in November, she received an even higher bill.
"All I'm saying is I get a bill this month that says it's 400 something dollars. It's no way possible," said Williams.
The city has come out to work on nearby water leaks, according to Williams.
"They've come out to check to see what's going on. Have told me it's a break somewhere in this neighborhood," she said.
But the Williams are still left with their expensive water bill.
"Cause there's no water pressure in the bathroom, no water pressure in the kitchen. And you saw that the shower won't come on. So I'm gonna pay 400 and something dollars for not being able to take a bath?"
While 12News was speaking to Williams, she received another notice about a possible leak.
"Or possible leak. Well if it's a leak then it must be on the city cause it's not a leak inside my house," she told 12News.
Williams is concerned about how she is supposed to host Thanksgiving dinner if she can't boil the water for mac 'n' cheese or boil the turkey in hot water.
"We got a neighbor that's gonna let us right in there. Go back to help try to cook there. And Thanksgiving is a time of happiness and people being together, but you don't want to inconvenience other people," said Williams.
12News spoke to Beaumont's Director of Water and Waste-Water Operations Mike Harris. He says that the city is taking full responsibility for the water leaks. Harris says the city is willing to work with the family to address their high water bills.
One leak that was discovered on October 23 and it was fixed. But then, a new one developed and was discovered November 21, according to Harris.
Harris tells 12News that the Williams' house is on top of a two inch watermain that is old. The city is in the process of getting it replaced.