A resident in Bilzen-Hoeselt, Belgium, is facing a water bill exceeding 3,000 euros due to an unexpectedly high consumption reading from a newly installed digital water meter, according to reports from HBVL and Nieuwsblad.
The homeowner, identified as Jeanine, expressed shock at the bill, stating she would be required to pay for the equivalent of several swimming pools worth of water usage. “Moet betalen voor verbruik van een paar zwembaden,” she said, highlighting the discrepancy between her actual water consumption and the meter’s reading.
The incident comes following the recent replacement of traditional water meters with digital versions in the region. The reports indicate that the high bill is a result of the new meter’s readings, raising questions about the accuracy and potential issues with the digital infrastructure.
This situation underscores the potential challenges associated with the widespread adoption of smart metering technologies, particularly regarding billing accuracy and consumer trust. The case is likely to draw scrutiny to the implementation and oversight of digital water meter programs as utilities continue to modernize infrastructure across Europe.
