Church Faces $8,000 Water Bill After Underground Pipe Leak

Underground Water Leak at Calvary Baptist Church

• 💧 A significant underground pipe leak at Calvary Baptist Church in Haverstraw, New York, has resulted in a substantial water bill.
• 📌 The leak occurred on church property, leading the water provider, Viola, to state they are not responsible for the repair costs.

Unexpectedly High Water Bills

• 📈 Calvary Baptist Church received water bills showing a dramatic spike in usage, jumping from an average of $40 per month to nearly $10,000.
• ⚠️ Church leaders were unaware of the leak as the building is only used on Sundays and there were no visible signs like pooling water.

Repair Costs and Utility Response

• 💰 The church incurred $10,000 in costs to repair the damaged underground piping.
• 💬 Viola has stated they are working on applying a bill credit to reduce the amount owed and will offer an extended payment plan.
• 💔 Church officials find the utility's initial response insensitive, emphasizing the need for compassion in business dealings.

Ongoing Challenges for the Church

• 🛠️ Despite repairs, the church is still without running water, impacting its operations.
• 🚽 The church is considering renting porta-potties for facilities during Sunday services while awaiting water service restoration.
• ❓ Key questions remain regarding the exact credit amount, future plans, and the timeline for restoring water service, as both sides have not yet formally discussed these issues.