ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Imagine finding a hangtag on your door with a water bill for more than $4,400—for just one month. That’s the reality Annika Martin is facing in Wedgefield, a community in East Orange County.
Martin contacted News 6, desperate for help. Her water is scheduled to be shut off Tuesday, Sept. 23, and she says she’s out of options.
“My significant other was hurt last year. My family has passed away. I’m taking care of my grandfather and my dad. It’s hard,” Martin told News 6, holding back tears.
In July, Martin received a bill from Pluris Water Company showing an astronomical spike in usage. Her typical water consumption—between 0 and 10 gallons per hour—suddenly surged to 180 gallons per hour, then hovered between 240 and 300 gallons per hour for nearly a month. The spike occurred at all hours, day and night.
“I think there’s a computer glitch of some sort,” Martin said. “Something’s going on.”
Martin says she called two plumbers who confirmed there were no leaks. She doesn’t have any large water-consuming appliances or unusual activity at home.
News 6 has covered water issues in Wedgefield for more than a decade. Neighbors have long complained about smelly water and high rates.
Martin says the water isn’t even safe to drink, “We pay more for water than anybody. We can’t drink it. We’re probably getting sick from bathing in it.”
Pluris responded to News 6, stating they found no issues with Martin’s meter. In an email, the company said:
“Pluris is not legally bound to give Ms. Martin an adjustment on the elevated usage charges. In an act of good faith, we have offered a tier rate adjustment and payment plan on the remaining balance. Ms. Martin has not yet acknowledged if she will accept the offer.”
The bill was reduced to $1,800—but Martin says that’s still not going to work.
“The only acceptable thing is to adjust my bill to what it normally is, and I’ll pay it,” she said. “But my water is going to be shut off on Tuesday if I don’t pay this.”
Meanwhile, Wedgefield residents have been lobbying to join Orange County Utilities. Recently, county commissioners opened the door for the Florida Governmental Utility Authority (FGUA) to acquire the system from Pluris. FGUA is known for buying substandard systems, fixing them, and potentially selling them. That decision is still pending.