Estimated water readings cause $8,000 billing error, department says changes are underway

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — After a three year search for answers over higher than normal water bills, a former Richmond resident learned he was overcharged by about $8,000. The city's utilities department is launching improvements to cut back on errors.

Justin Cerny said moving to the fan district in 2022 was an exciting time for him and his wife. The two hoped to spend time enjoying all the neighborhood had to offer. However, he said exploring isn't the only thing he spent a lot of time doing -- examining his water bills each month was a close second.

Not long after making his new neighborhood home, Cerny's first water bill totaled a little more than $400.

"I was like oh, my gosh, I kind of figured at first that I had done something wrong," said Cerny. "I was like, did we leave the water r