JACKSONVILLE, Fla.-- When Christopher Glenn pays his utility bill each month he assumes everything checks out.
For the most part, it does except his for the water category.
"When I used to pay it at my other place, it was kind of on the bill. So with this one separate, I'm kind of worried about it now," he said.
Action News has learned water meters at apartment complexes across the area were tampered with. JEA says, someone went in, made a few alterations and in the process affected hundreds of people.
"In this particular case, a device was installed in JEA meters to prevent flow of water. It made it so the meter was not reading accurately," Gerri Boyce with JEA said.
JEA owns and operates the meters in the area. The problem was first discovered in mid-November on a routine maintenance check.
Not only does it affect renters water volume, but it poses a safety concern especially in case of a fire. In each tampering instance, JEA says the common denominator is that the complexes are owned by Mid-America Apartment Communities.
We reached out to them about this issue, and were sent this response:
"JEA has raised some questions and concerns about some work that one of MAA's contractor's performed. We are currently partnering with JEA to answer and resolve those questions and concerns."
JEA says it has alerted authorities, but for now their main concern is the renter.
"Our priority is to make sure you have safe drinking water and that the infrastructure is sound. that is what we're doing right now," Boyce said.
And that's music to Glenn's ears.
"I really hope the water's clear. That's my big hope. Don't want dirty water basically," he said.
We're told it's too early to tell if the tampering will affect consumer's bills, and who will pick up the tab if needed. JEA says going forward, everyone needs to keep their eyes peeled and alert them if someone other than their crews are tampering with meters.
