http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/07/14/hot.summer.ap/index.html Woman gets $74,000 water bill
Thursday, July 14, 2005; Posted: 12:50 p.m. EDT (16:50 GMT)
An Illinois woman gets the surprise of her life.
MASCOUTAH, Illinois (AP) -- It has been a hot, dry summer in this St. Louis suburb, but Rose Mary Cook knew there was no way she could have used $74,000 worth of water.
The city's utility department claimed Cook used 10 million gallons of water last month, charging her $29,787 for water, $43,581 for sewer, plus $893 for municipal tax.
"Luckily, when I opened the bill, I was sitting down," Cook said.
"I could have filled every pool in southern Illinois and still not used that much water."
Cook presented the bill to a public works employee at City Hall.
Officials quickly determined the whopping fee was the result of a broken meter and issued a corrected bill for $32.66 -- waiving Cook's monthly water and sewer charges for her troubles.
"My daughter asked me if I was hoarding water during the drought," Cook said.
"I told her I would, but I don't know where I would find 10 million gallon jugs."
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