Customer Service -Water

[Onemore52]

Last week we received our water bill, where 41 cu.m of water was metered into the property, which equal 7 barrels (200 litre capacity) was used per day, for 2 people.

Of course the smart thing to do is turn the supply off at the inlet to the house, and then I could ascertain if there is a leak in the 250 meters of 3/8" pipe that comes from the street,.

With that in mind my gf paid the bill and complained about the excessive use of water, and of course they said they would send someone out to check, I would do all of the fault finding if I knew which meter was ours in cluster of 7 meters in the line from the street.

Now after my dealings with PLDT from another post, I realise that the average person in the Philippines trusts, yes trusts these agencies to do what they promised to do. But I know different, that seeing it has been a week and nothing from them, you have to keep at them, not calling them but actually go to their office and front them.

Trust any of them, no NEKCUF way.

Three months ago we had the airconditioning in the car serviced by a "Specialist", they came out to the house to do the job. So when the car started blowing hot air I gave them a call, they came out looked under the hood , scratched their heads and made lots of phone calls and after a while said they would be back. When they didn't come back I gave them a call and was told that all of the technicians are sick and would not be able to come out for a while.

Kiss some more money goodbye.... At least if you ssip your money up against the wall you would have a hangover to prove you got something for your money

[Guy F.]

I'm in Bohol. A few months ago we started getting water from the Richli Corporation. It was good for a while then there were hiccups for a few days, but the problem got solved and lately it's been great with much better water pressure than the municipal system. They claim it is drinkable straight out of the pipe and is tested at the source thrice daily. Their workers drink it without hesitation, but I remain reluctant.

[RBM]

2 hours ago, Onemore52 said:

Last week we received our water bill, where 41 cu.m of water was metered into the property, which equal 7 barrels (200 litre capacity) was used per day, for 2 people.

Of course the smart thing to do is turn the supply off at the inlet to the house, and then I could ascertain if there is a leak in the 250 meters of 3/8" pipe that comes from the street,.

With that in mind my gf paid the bill and complained about the excessive use of water, and of course they said they would send someone out to check, I would do all of the fault finding if I knew which meter was ours in cluster of 7 meters in the line from the street.

Now after my dealings with PLDT from another post, I realise that the average person in the Philippines trusts, yes trusts these agencies to do what they promised to do. But I know different, that seeing it has been a week and nothing from them, you have to keep at them, not calling them but actually go to their office and front them.

Trust any of them, no NEKCUF way.

Three months ago we had the airconditioning in the car serviced by a "Specialist", they came out to the house to do the job. So when the car started blowing hot air I gave them a call, they came out looked under the hood , scratched their heads and made lots of phone calls and after a while said they would be back. When they didn't come back I gave them a call and was told that all of the technicians are sick and would not be able to come out for a while.

Kiss some more money goodbye.... At least if you ssip your money up against the wall you would have a hangover to prove you got something for your money

I have found usually dealing with these people is extremely frustrating as their problem solving techniques vary from simple logic that we are accustomed to.

No simple answer except  there are out there some extremely competent tradespeople, once found treasure them for they be a rare breed. Our electrician is one whom can turn his hand to anything....a rare diamond.

[Onemore52]

Yes, the same as our motor mechanic here at the factory, there is nothing that he cannot fix, so when he does come over to the house to work on our cars he is treated accordingly, with great respect and his appetite is catered for as well

[manofthecoldland]

Major costly leaks or ruptures between the distant meter and the dwelling aren't uncommon in my neighborhood. These runs are the responsibility of the owner. Many runs are surface runs, but where there is trike traffic access, many will bury portions..... but only 3-6" deep. Maybe so that leaks become evident, or they mistakenly think its sufficient depth for line protection. I often see exposed lines that were insufficiently buried. As a matter of fact, we drive over a few every day.

Many people never walk their lines until they get a 'water bill shock' wake up call. It can be huge. Many times other neighbors will notice leak seepage, but say nothing if they don't know or dislike the line owner. They figure that its not their problem or that the owner is getting some well deserved Karma justice . Especially if the owner is better off than them. Hidden envy abounds here.

The wife buried the first 30 m. from the meter 12" deep at the side of the of dirt roadway after learning from experience that no one gives a fig about other people's water lines. The other 60 m. is above ground on our private bamboo access bridge and runs through the yard where we can see and inspect it. This section picks up solar heat as a side benefit to provide warm daytime showers, dish washing, laudry etc. on araw araw. 

Since we built in 2012, we have evolved through experiences, changing and moving our water lines about, to counter and avoid problems. We usually have a P 350-500 water bill, but once had  P1500 shocker before taking a corrective measure. Buried leak... so she replaced the line and buried it deep, noting any connection points. Also using very high quality connectors every where now.

I have a host of insane Pinoy water line stories, due to the fact that 4 of the neighboring rice hamlet residents illegally (not that they care about such trivial legal nicities) ran their lines through our 220 sq. m. lot before we acquired it. My wife went to all four and asked them to move their lines off her property since she was building. They didn't.  She tried again. Nothing happens.  Now they want her t pay to have their lines moved off our property because their illegal line runs were there first. Now she gets a primary councilman and barangay cop to go with her.  To no avail.  She just builds over their lines. Gravel.  Two years later a concrete pad for her dirty kitchen.

One day cousin carpenter is putting in a new bamboo fence at the corner where their lines emerge frm under our property. He uses our post hole digger, but is careful. He's a 45 yr. old craftsman of high reputation.  

Several days later, a hamlet  neighbor is at my front gate with his bolo and angry.  His wife just got a P 20K water bill.  His ignorant wife had convinced him that it was our fault due to the new fence posts. We all go check. No apparent water.  Now they argue that we injured the line under the pad, or whatever and should pay because they still haven't found the leak.   His wife has convinced the other illegal water line neighbors that we must be at fault. They are gathered and watching. He has his bolo again.  I calmly tell him to come with me alone into my yard so we can talk.... but first drop the bolo and leave it there. He does.

As you patiently would with a child, I put my arm over Antonio's shoulder, and slowly and kindly remind him of our past efforts to get the water lines moved. I had warned Tony (Tony, my friend, Do you remember when.." ) and the others that all things get old and fail. If any line under OUR property had failed, it was on them since they had had many opportunities, warnings, etc. to move their lines. Now maybe the inevitable had occurred or maybe not.   But I did have a solution. 

I would buy new waterline and couplings for the lines that run under my property , but only for the length of my property. He and the others would have to dig up, cut off, and reroute all the waterlines that ran under and through our lot. He and the others happily agreed and harmony was restored.  My cost was small and I was done with them and any future dealings with such ilk.... (I'm trying to be charitable here and not use any of the more commonly derogatory terms for a unit of plurality. )

Despite the new lines, poor Tony's leakage continued until a week later when they discovered the break right outside their house, on their very own property. It was near the kitchen/laundry drainage and was most likely masked by other daily outflow.

Moral of story: Keep a regular eye on your water lines to catch leaks early.

 

[hk blues]

5 minutes ago, manofthecoldland said:

Moral of story: Keep a regular eye on your water lines to catch leaks early.

 

I don't bother checking water lines but do check my meter once every other day - it's outside our gate.  

[Onemore52]

Man of the cold land, boy that's a mouthful.

We asked our plumber to do some initial investigations and sure enough , where the Barangay had their labourer trim the grass out on the road he sliced the line partially, so next step is to hard line the pipe, but with what material? Anything except that black polypipe, that white pipe seems to have a thick wall, so I probably go with that and just ensure that it as least 12" down. 

I wonder if that white pipe is valuable to someone? will it last before disapearing?

I really like your idea of having the pipe above ground to heat the water, brilliant.

Now that I have vented I must remember the good old saying in the Philippines "If it wasn't this problem it would have been something else", so this week I have had problems with the air conditioning people, PLDT and today the water.

I had a win yesterday in getting a new solenoid on the starter motor for the Nissan, and the mechanic will fit that tomorrow for a reasonable charge and lunch on us, so that will be a win for the week.

But there is always next week.

[hk blues]

3 minutes ago, Onemore52 said:

...so this week I have had problems with the air conditioning people, PLDT and today the water.

 

This week?  I've had days that were worse than that!  

[expatuk2014]

As the saying goes " Its more fun in the Philippines " weekends without water, PLDT problems, Meralco wanting to charge us for paying bills online, overgrowing neighbours trees, maurading Ants , Rats, and dogs tearing apart rubbish bags,  but then you have to stop and think then just look at your wife and her smile , for me shes the reason i can put up with the non customer service and the way of life in this lovely country .

[Arizona Kid]

On 2/14/2020 at 7:02 AM, Onemore52 said:

Three months ago we had the airconditioning in the car serviced by a "Specialist", they came out to the house to do the job. So when the car started blowing hot air I gave them a call, they came out looked under the hood , scratched their heads and made lots of phone calls and after a while said they would be back. When they didn't come back I gave them a call and was told that all of the technicians are sick and would not be able to come out for a while.

Very sorry that you are having those kinds of experiences here. I've been fortunate. Had a mechanic since 2002 that has treated me fairly after he knew I was not one of those.."I's up to you" guys when I asked him how much to pay. Once we became friends he made sure that I got a square deal for my car aircon also.