98-year-old shocked after receiving unexplained $250 water bill

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A 98-year-old woman was in shock after she received her water bill.

Mary Alice Doster's water bill shows a tiny blip every month, but in May it was almost off the chart.

Doster said her usual water bill is $30-35 per month. In May it was more than $250.

"That's a lot of money when you're a widow [on] one income," she said.

She complained to Charlotte Water.

"I knew something was wrong, but they tried to tell me that it wasn't. They read the meter. They said that was right," Doster said.

She thought maybe she had a leak so she hired a plumber to check, which meant spending more money.

She said the plumber didn't find a leak and that she wasn't using more water than usual.

Charlotte Water still wouldn't cut her bill, so her daughter emailed Action 9 investigator Jason Stoogenke.

"We thought if WSOC gets in there, they'll get something done. And you did," Doster said.

Stoogenke asked Charlotte Water to take another look.

It did and knocked off more than $200.

It's still not clear what led to the high bill, but Doster's glad it's behind her.

Doster did what Stoogenke always recommends in a case like this.

First, contact your utility. Then, see if you have a leak. If that proof doesn't sway the utility, contact Action 9.

Cox Media Group