STORM2K

Man Paying Sewer Bill Since 1979 Finds He Has A Septic Tank
POSTED: 10:04 a.m. EDT June 11, 2003

FORT PIERCE, Fla. -- A homeowner who has been paying a monthly sewer bill since 1979 learned after plumbing trouble that he has a septic tank and has never been connected to the city utility.

Donald Griffith went to court Tuesday with a civil lawsuit against the Fort Pierce Utilities Authority, asking for his money to be returned -- with interest.

Griffith, 66, says the utility company has been billing him unfairly since 1979. After his system backed up last year, Griffith said he discovered he has a septic tank, not a sewer connection.


The retired sheet metal and roofing contractor said he tried to work out a deal with FPUA, but the utility turned him down. The company owes him $16,000 in paid bills, the suit claims.

"We tried to resolve this amicably, but that was not possible," said Bud Boudreaux, FPUA utilities director. "If it has to go to court, it has to go to court."

Griffith said FPUA originally agreed to hook his home up to the sewer system and pay him a few thousand dollars for past bills. After Griffith met with an attorney, FPUA took its offer off the table, he said.

What a mess. I hope the guy gets his damages.

Jeez, hope he gets paid back. He deserves it.

Wonder if he is renting? You'd think if he actually purchased the
home, he'd know whether he had septic or city hook-up...?
Either way, the city has been recieving payment for 24 years
for doing nothing for him - boy, wouldn't I want a job like that? :o

Sounds like time for a vacation!

Would be real $hi**y of them not to pay it all back!!

That stinks (no pun intended! ).

I hope he does get compensated too.

I might seek to get a refund on all the funds paid in, but if I had to take six years of sh** back with it, I'd probably settle for something less.

I would be so mad if that was me. But I am kind of with Annette. Wouldn't you know?

Just goes to show you what crooks city utilities can be.