OTTAWA — The city of Ottawa will not read water meters this month because of the cold temperatures and will estimate the water portion of the utility bill. When the weather is this cold, opening the lids to the water cans allows freezing air to get into the meter pit which freezes the meter, creating problems for the city and the property owner, said city finance director Scott Bird. The city uses a formula based on the water usage for the same month from the previous year and the previous month, he said. If the city’s estimates are off, they will be corrected on the next month’s bill, he said. If you have a question about your bill, call city hall at 229-3600.
Thursday, Jan. 4, 11 a.m.
