In Guiyang's Yunyan District, at the Fengdan Bailu community, a resident named Mr. Zeng is puzzled by his water meter, which recently displayed a reading of 3,878 tons. This figure jumped from around 2,800 tons not long ago, with a record showing it was 1,800 tons in June 2025 and 2,810 tons in July. Now, it has surged by another 1,000 tons, leaving Mr. Zeng frustrated as he flips through the meter reading logs.

This is not the first occurrence of such an anomaly. Last July, the meter inexplicably recorded an extra 1,000 tons, and the same scenario repeated this July, adding another 1,000 tons. Over the two years, the total abnormal increase of 2,000 tons, at a rate of 2.8 yuan per ton, has resulted in a water bill of over 5,600 yuan. Mr. Zeng typically uses only about 8 tons per month, and over the past decade, his total consumption was just over 1,000 tons. This sudden increase equals his entire historical usage.

A reporter investigation reveals that to consume 1,000 tons in a month, a faucet would need to run continuously for over half a month. Yet, Mr. Zeng's home, which is occupied by tenants, shows no signs of leakage. "If there was a leak, the water pressure would be too low, or we'd have no water at all," he said, noting no dampness in the house. He believes the additional 2,000 tons should not be his responsibility.

Accompanied by a reporter, Mr. Zeng visited the community's property management office. Manager Ms. Zhou reviewed recent monitoring records, showing the meter increased by 6 tons from July 30 to August 12. "With residents living there, producing 6 tons, the meter seems fine to us," she stated. She noted that an inspection last year found no issues with the meter.

Mr. Zeng argued that household water meters must be replaced every six years, and his meter's cumulative usage far exceeds that period. Ms. Zhou acknowledged this, saying, "Replacing every six years isn't always done, as the cost is high, and we lack funding." She explained that the community's property fees are low—0.65 yuan per square meter for walk-up apartments and 1.3 yuan for elevator units—making daily operations difficult. Additionally, unpaid fees from residents, including water charges, total over 1 million yuan, with Mr. Zeng himself not paying since July 2022.

After mediation by the reporter, both parties agreed to remove the meter and send it to a professional testing institution. Ms. Zhou outlined the policy: "If the meter is faulty, we'll charge based on average water usage; if it's fine, the owner is responsible for the cost from the meter onward."