Software error sends huge water bills to Girard churches, homes
GIRARD — A software error led to high water bills for several homes, businesses, and churches in Girard.
A software issue caused some meters to report inaccurate readings and issue the high bills, said Jerry Lambert, the city’s director of public services.
“It’s growing pains,” Lambert said. The city is replacing manual-read meters with automatic readers, and the errors are a result of software problems during the changeover, he added.
St. Rose Catholic Church, on State Street was billed $93,000. Monsignor John Zuraw addressed his congregation on Sunday to make them aware of the issue.
“I brought it up before mass to make sure elderly parishioners were aware that there may have been an error in their bill,” said Monsignor Zuraw. “If they immediately pay a high bill, they may be unable to pay for medicines or food because they are afraid their water will be cut off.”
Tri-Changes hair salon, also on State Street, received a bill of $11,681.
“When I went down to the water department, I actually owed zero. Nothing,” said Sherry Lakos-Johnson, owner of the salon.
“We know it’s a glitch,” said Lambert. “The majority of people have been understanding.”
Zura said that he was surprised when he opened his bill and wondered what could have caused it to be so high.
“I thought, ‘We must have used $93,000 in holy water,’” Monsignor Zuraw said.
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