I am writing to express my concerns regarding the billing practices of the Altoona Water Authority, particularly the lack of a way for consumers to verify the accuracy of their charges. While our bills detail the number of gallons used, we have no accessible meter on our properties to confirm these readings.

In contrast, both electric and gas utilities provide us with visible meters, allowing us to check the accuracy of what we are being charged. When purchasing gas, for instance, we can see the calibrated meters in action, ensuring transparency. However, with the water authority, we rely solely on trust, as there is no accessible meter to verify our consumption.

This is troubling. Without a way to independently verify the accuracy of our water usage, it raises the possibility that consumers could be overcharged without any means of confirmation. I urge my fellow residents to question this system.

I would appreciate your assistance in amplifying these concerns. If more of us flood the Altoona Water Authority’s phone lines with questions about their billing practices, perhaps we can prompt a much-needed review of their processes.

Edward Kreuz Jr.

Altoona