Question 1

Why is my bill so high?

Accepted Answer

High water bills can be attributed to various factors, but the basic calculation for utility charges is straightforward: (Rate × Gallons) = Charge. To determine whether a charge is high, the first question to ask is: “Is my consumption higher than it should be?”
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the average person uses about 80–100 gallons of water per day, including usage from toilets, showers, dishwashers, washing machines, sinks, and more. This equates to 2,400–3,000 gallons per person, per month (source: Water Q&A: How much water do I use at home each day?). In multi-family dwellings, average consumption is typically lower, ranging between 1,500–3,000 gallons per person per month. For a household with two individuals, monthly usage should typically fall between 3,000–6,000 gallons. However, usage habits vary greatly—for example, some people may prefer daily 20-minute showers, while others opt for shorter, 10-minute showers.
When residents perceive their water bill as unusually high, they often suspect a malfunctioning meter. However, faulty meters are responsible for high usage in less than 1% of evaluations. In fact, defective meters tend to underreport consumption rather than overestimate it.
The most common cause of high water usage is a toilet leak. Toilets frequently develop leakage issues due to a misaligned or worn-out flapper, leading to water waste ranging from a few hundred gallons to tens of thousands of gallons per month, depending on the severity.

Question 2

How to Detect a Toilet Leak:

Accepted Answer

If you hear water filling the toilet tank periodically when it’s not in use, you likely have a leak.
To test for leaks, place a ceramic-safe coloring agent into the toilet's fill tank. Wait 15 minutes, then check the toilet bowl.
If the water in the bowl has changed color, a leak is present and needs to be addressed.
By understanding water usage habits and addressing common issues like toilet leaks, property owners and residents can better manage water consumption and reduce utility bills.
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Question 3

Where does the rate for my utility come from?

Accepted Answer

Each multi-family community receives utility services from a local provider, such as Duke Energy or the County Water Department. Meter Link Solutions streamlines this process by obtaining the rate code from the utility supplier and applying it to individual residents on behalf of the community.
Utility costs are never marked up, and no profit is generated from the resale of these services. Instead, all billing is conducted as a cost recovery mechanism for the community. Meter Link Solutions generates its revenue from a transparent billing fee, which is clearly itemized on every invoice mailed to residents.

Question 4

When will my meter be read?

Accepted Answer

Meters are read approximately every 30 days. Each utility bill includes the approximate date of the next scheduled reading, which can be found in the middle margin of the bill for your reference.

Question 5

Why Am I Charged a Billing Fee?

Accepted Answer

At Meter Link Solutions LLC, we do not profit from utility charges. The amount you pay reflects the exact rate set by the utility provider.
The billing fee covers the operational costs associated with providing comprehensive utility management services, including:
Meter reading
Invoice production and mailing
Payment collection
Access to a customer service call center
Maintenance of web-based account management and payment services
This fee ensures a seamless and efficient utility billing process while offering residents robust support and tools for managing their utility accounts.

Question 6

What is an Activation/ Deactivation Fee?

Accepted Answer

These fees are assessed to open or close an account, and offset the costs involved.

Question 7

Can my invoice due date be changed?

Accepted Answer

The due date on an invoice is determined by the date the invoice is generated. All invoices for a community are generated simultaneously each month to maintain consistency.
To adjust an individual due date, the generation date for all invoices in the community would need to change. At Meter Link Solutions LLC, any adjustments to a community’s invoice generation date or the allotted payment period can only be made at the direction of the Property Management or the Association’s Board.
This ensures that billing practices align with the policies and preferences set by the managing authority.

Question 8

Can I be put on a payment plan?

Accepted Answer

At Meter Link Solutions LLC, we invoice and collect payments on behalf of multi-family communities. Ultimately, all outstanding balances are owed to the community where you reside.
As such, we cannot offer payment plans unless specifically requested by the Property Management or Association Board. It’s important to note that enrolling in a payment plan will not prevent the accrual of late fees.
For questions regarding payment plans or late fees, please reach out to your Property Management or Association Board for further guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions