May 2025 Bill Note

Due to weather delays and unavoidable maintenance, a small percentage of meter readings were estimated for May 2025 billing. This applies to location numbers beginning with “05” or “10” only. Estimations are generated by the billing software and are a 12-month average of a customer’s usage.

Southside’s water meters are read manually each month, and inclement weather can slow or completely halt the reading process as meters become submerged. Members of our field staff have dealt with the recent weather to the best of their abilities while repeatedly interrupted by other necessary repairs. Estimations are neither frequent nor preferred, but occasionally required.

We appreciate your understanding.

Q: “Was my meter estimated this month?”

• Check your 6-digit location number at the top of your bill. If it begins with a “05” or “10” you could have been estimated. Approximately 17 percent of readings this month were estimated out of necessity.
• If your location number begins with 05 or 10 and your meter reading and/or usage ends with any number other than a zero, your meter reading was estimated this month. (All meter readings on standard meters include a stationary zero at the end as our meters register in tens of gallons.)
• This estimate was calculated by the billing software at an exact 12-month average of your usage history. It is not a “guess,” but an average.

If you have been estimated and feel that your estimate is abnormally high or low…

• Your estimate may include a leak at your residence during the last 12 months which contributed to this average. Likewise, a period of vacancy would be included on your estimate.
• If you are concerned about a high or low estimate, you may obtain a reading from your water meter and compare it to the estimated reading on your bill. You can also call the office and we will schedule a reading as soon as possible and reassess your billed amount. If a reread indicates you were overbilled, a credit will be issued to your account.
• If your estimate is only slightly different from your normal billing, it will even out next month when your meter is read. A meter reading measures the gallons used since the previous reading (much like subtracting numbers on a car’s odometer to get distance traveled).
• As always, you may call the SSWW office with any questions or concerns