Raisin City man disputes $1,591 water bill, says meter must be faulty

County officials stand by the reading, saying the meter is working properly despite the unusually high usage.

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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Jeff Wood, a Raisin City, California resident, received a water bill for $1,591.62 just months after moving into his new home in 2025. Wood claims he did not use anywhere near that amount of water, as he had not even officially moved in yet. Despite multiple attempts to resolve the issue with Fresno County Public Works, the department has refused to budge, insisting the meter is functioning correctly and that Wood is responsible for the charges.

Why it matters

This case highlights the challenges homeowners can face when dealing with utility providers over unexpectedly high bills, especially when the homeowner disputes the validity of the readings. It raises questions about the reliability of water meters and the recourse available to consumers who believe they are being unfairly billed.

The details

Wood's water bill alleges his family used 208,018 gallons of water in a single billing period, with over 191,000 gallons used in just two weeks. Wood says this is impossible, as his home does not have a pool or extensive landscaping, and there are no signs of water damage. Fresno County Public Works maintains the meter is working properly, though they admit such high usage is atypical. The county has refused to provide any discounts or credits, stating they cannot subsidize individual customers at the expense of the broader system.

  • Wood moved into the Raisin City home in March 2025.
  • The $1,591.62 water bill is dated May 9, 2025.
  • The county claims the high usage occurred between March 13-27, 2025.
  • Wood received a 15-day shutoff notice just last month (February 2026).
  • Wood is now taking the issue to small claims court in March 2026.

The players

Jeff Wood

A Raisin City, California resident who received an unusually high $1,591.62 water bill just months after moving into his new home.

Fresno County Public Works

The local utility department that is standing by the high water usage reading and refusing to provide any discounts or credits to Wood.

Chris Bump

A representative from Fresno County Public Works who stated the department's position that the water meter is functioning properly.

Ferando Ibarra

The regional manager at Lee's Plumbing, Heating, and Air, who expressed skepticism about the high water usage claim.

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What they’re saying

“Well, I kind of felt like, 'Welcome to the neighborhood,'”

— Jeff Wood (yourcentralvalley.com)

“I didn't use the water. I was not here.”

— Jeff Wood (yourcentralvalley.com)

“The meter is a very straightforward piece of equipment. It reads the water that goes through it.”

— Chris Bump, Fresno County Public Works (yourcentralvalley.com)

“Absolutely. Especially if it was only for a one-month period, and then it stopped. It's really, really hard. Leaks don't fix themselves.”

— Ferando Ibarra, Regional Manager, Lee's Plumbing, Heating, and Air (yourcentralvalley.com)

What’s next

Wood is taking the issue to small claims court in March 2026 in an attempt to get the money he has paid to the water district refunded.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability from utility providers when it comes to unexpectedly high bills. It also underscores the challenges homeowners can face in disputing meter readings, even when the usage seems implausible. The outcome of Wood's small claims case could set an important precedent for how such disputes are handled in the future.