Suzanne Russell

@SRussellMyCJ

PERTH AMBOY – Claire Danielczyk and her family just can't figure out where 65,076 gallons of water supposedly went.

That's how much her water meter claims she spent last year in October, November and December, a nearly 60,000 gallon increase over the amount she normally uses during each billing period.

The total amount of water is more than 700 gallons of water a day: enough water to fill more than three average swimming pools. By comparison, the average home in the state consumes just 70 to 155 gallons a day.

The city, however, insists the water was used and wants payment on the $732.46 water and sewer bill, which is already several months overdue.

But Danielczyk doesn't think she should have to pay.

"Why should I pay for something I didn't use?" she asked.

Perth Amboy Interim City Administrator Gregory Fehrenbach, however, said there has not been an allegation of a high water bill more thoroughly investigated than Danielczyk's. And the city's own regulations prevent discounting a bill unless someone proves the meter was wrong.

He said inspections for leaks and the meter were conducted twice. The meter also was replaced. A second inspection determined the water line was higher than the outflow line in her toilet and the automatic stop didn't work. The water is believed to have been overflowing for some time.

Fehrenbach said equipment used to test the meter was checked and the testing equipment was determined to be accurate.

"We tested every possibility," Fehrenbach said. "The water line in the tank had been on overflow."

Danielczyk, however, said the toilet she purchased two years ago, is designed to save water.

Ken Stolte, a licensed plumber from Monroe and Claire Danielczyk's nephew said the meter is read through a digital transmitter. He questions if the transmitter was operating properly or if it could have skipped ahead some numbers.

Stolte said the house has no plumbing fixtures upstairs and there is only one bathroom and the kitchen on the main level and a laundry room in the basement. The outside faucet is turned off. He said water would have had to been running for two months to have 60,000 gallons pass through the meter.

"I myself can't see where this water went," Stolte said. "Somebody would have seen something for that amount of water."

He said the toilet would be the weakest spot in the house, but he checked the fill valve and it was working properly.

"It eats at me to see how it has affected her," her son, Paul Danielczyk, said. "This is horrible for an 89-year-old woman to go through."

While Danielczyk is adamant the water didn't travel through her meter, Fehrenbach said she has not been able to substantiate that claim and therefore has a responsibility to pay the bill.

Fehrenbach said the city is allowed to offer payment plans to people like Danielczyk who live alone and on a fixed income. The city has offered to charge her $100 a month, including 8 percent interest.

The payment plan will be discussed Wednesday by the City Council.

Hard to explain

Perth Amboy has a public-private partnership with Woodbridge-based Middlesex Water Company for the operation of the water and waste water system. Billing is handled by Utility Service Affiliates Perth Amboy, which Paul Danielczyk said is the new name for the muncipality's water department.

Middlesex Water Company vice president Bernadette Sohler said there are a number of reasons for unexplained water usage, such as number and age of water fixtures, outdoor water usage, theft by neighbors, extended absences by the owner or tenant, timelag between when a spiked water incident occurs and when the next bill is received, leaking faucets, unattended outdoor hoses left on, and old plumbing fixtures.

Sohler said all the factors make it difficult to determine with reasonable certainty the cause of increased water consumption.

Danielczyk, whose husband died 41 years and has lived at her Carson Avenue home for 66 years, said her water bills are typically between $40 to $60.

Her son said she made a $67 payment toward the $732 bill. He said the amount was based on the highest bill she paid in 2013.

"From day one they just want her pay on a payment plan, saying the water went through here. They are blaming the toilet, a water saver," he said, adding her mother has received threatening telephone calls and letters that her water will be shut off for non payment. He said all her other bills have been paid ahead of time.

Clarie Danielczyk said her bedroom is next to the bathroom. If the toilet water was running she would have heard the noise. In addition, family members who visit, do laundry and help clean her home on a regular basis also would have noticed if something was wrong with the toilet.

"This city prides itself on service to seniors. Now where is my mother's service when she needs it," Paul Danielczyk said. "Every senior citizen should be on alert, this could happen to you."

Staff Writer Suzanne Russell: 732-565-7335; srussell@mycentraljersey.com