Tensions are escalating in the village of Guinea Grass as residents mobilize to protest against what they describe as exorbitant and unjust water billing practices following the rollout of a new metered system. The community alleges severe discrepancies in their water usage readings and cites unfulfilled commitments regarding the establishment of a professionally trained water board.
Village Council Chairman Benito Uck has acknowledged the growing discontent, confirming that numerous residents have reported implausibly high consumption figures—with some bills indicating usage between 12,000 to 14,000 gallons—which they insist do not reflect their actual water consumption. Many suspect faulty meter installations or underlying system leaks.
In response to the mounting crisis, local leadership is collaborating with the national Ministry of Rural Transformation to formulate a multi-pronged resolution strategy. This includes conducting comprehensive technical evaluations of the installed meters, initiating village-wide leak detection investigations, and deliberating on provisional billing adjustments. One proposed measure involves temporarily reverting to the previous flat-rate payment structure for March, allowing residents to pay a standardized fee while systemic corrections are implemented.
Chairman Uck referenced a prior communication from October 2025 that outlined the new tiered pricing model: $10 for the first 1,500 gallons, followed by one cent per gallon thereafter, and a rate of two cents per gallon after exceeding 10,000 gallons. However, the execution and perceived accuracy of this system have become the core of the dispute. Despite plans for public consultations, these meetings were postponed, exacerbating public distrust.
As villagers prepare for organized demonstrations to voice their grievances, the Council is urgently seeking final directives and support from the Ministry to normalize the situation and restore public confidence in the water infrastructure management.