Representatives from the Old

Virginia Homeowner's Association were a no-show at the Union City Council

meeting, flouting the council's most recent attempt to reach an equitable

agreement with the group regarding a large past-due water bill. The bill,

currently $10,187.55, resulted from water line breaks at Old Virginia

Condominiums.

Last year, Union City became

aware of a discrepancy in the amount of water going through the Old Virginia

master meter versus the amount being paid by the individual homeowners.

Union City buys its water from Atlanta and closely monitors the amount

purchased against what is sold to city residents and businesses.

They are rated by the state

on their efficiency and have consistently been in the 1-2 percent water

loss range, considered excellent.

During the monitoring process

last year they noted an increase which prompted a more thorough comparison

and review. They identified problems at Old Virginia and Shannon Villa.

Upon notification, Shannon

Villa immediately located and fixed the problem.

After receiving a second notice

from the city, Old Virginia called in a specialist and discovered a major

leak. The broken line was located directly over a sewer and had been draining

into the system.

Union City has estimated that

the additional sewage processing cost the City approximately $9,000.

Since identifying the leak,

Union City has been working with the Old Virginia Homeowner's Association

to have the problem corrected and to collect the increasing water bill.

They have not charged the association

with the excess sewage processing.

Finally, two weeks ago, Old

Virginia fixed the water line break. The president of the association,

James Walker, met with the City Council during their last work session

and agreed to provide a plan for reimbursing the city for the $10,000-plus

water bill at the May 21 City Council meeting.

The council was frustrated

Mayor Moore flatly stated,

"I feel we have been very benevolent in letting them tell us what

they could afford."

Council members debated various

options for collecting and preventing further problems in the subdivision,

voicing strong concerns for the residents who might be inconvenienced.

The option to discontinue water

service was quickly discarded. After some discussion, the council unanimously

voted to give Old Virginia three days notice to provide an equitable plan

for payment of the past due bill, and to give the association notice that

in 60 days water would be billed through the master meter rather than

to individuals. The association would then be responsible for reading

homeowner's meters and the collection of water bills from individual homeowners.