The following is a continuation of the previous post from this blog and an addition to two others.
Be aware that you will be taken to external pages of one of my blogs.
In the intricate tapestry of expat life, unexpected challenges can arise, and my recent experience with a perplexing water bill in Bulgaria has prompted me to share this trivial journey with you.
Welcome to the chronicles of Bulgaria Expat Life, where a seemingly routine water bill has become a labyrinth of confusion, leaving me grappling for answers.
The Genesis: A Fantastic Water Bill
It all began innocently enough in April 2023 when I transferred the water account to my name for a flat in a remote seaside location, excited about my new chapter in Bulgaria.
Longing for absolute peace and a lavish life through writing, after 40 years of dreaming about it and several years of caring for the elderly that completely drained me, and finally beginning to make a living, little did I know that a routine visit to the water office would spark a chain of events that would lead to a billing enigma. A fantastic tale, adventurous, but in a negative way.
Accompanied by the previous owner, we submitted water meter readings, he paid the bills, and thought everything was in order. Fast forward to November, and an inflated bill of 445 leva left me bewildered. The recorded consumption seemed rather absurd, and despite my efforts to resolve the matter with the local and main water offices clarity remains elusive.
Mind you, this isn't about the water consumption recorded by the meter, but rather the entries in the system. The discrepancy doesn't lie in the readings themselves; instead, it stems from the disparity between the readings I provided and those entered into the system by a water employee—or perhaps the absence of such entries.
The water meter is fine.
See pictures below.
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| The reading the ex-owner and I provided in April 2023 when the contract was transferred. 0159 |
But that's not the only twist in this tale.
Before the 445 leva bill (approximately 220 euros), I had already paid another bill of 83 leva based on a 22 m3 estimation.
However, from April 2023 to November 2023, my water meter recorded a consumption of 6 m3, a figure that I already suspect is not accurate, but that is another story.
Anticipating a credit for the overestimated 83 leva bill, you can imagine that I was taken aback when this other bill, this time a staggering 445 leva, hit me. I almost had a heart attack, I started shaking and hyperventilating. Panic.
I have nightmares about all this.
It left me questioning the accuracy of the entire water meter recordings process.
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| The reading I provided in November 2023, 6 months after the transfer = 0165. |
The accurate readings are 0159 in April and 0165 in November = 6 m3.
The Cost of Water: A Fantastic Calculation
The total charge for 6 m3 of actual water consumption and recordings by my water meter, combining both bills, amounted to 529 leva. Consequently, the charge for 1 m3 of water would be 529 leva / 6 m3 = 88.17 leva/m3.
Wait, what?
So, they charged me approximately 88.17 leva for each cubic meter of water.
But that is just a joke.
These two bills of 83 + 445 = 529 leva are for 22 + 119 = 139 m3 of water. When in fact, from April to November 2023, I used 6 m3.
By the way, 529 Leva = 270.51 Euro and 88.17 are approximately 45.09 Euro.
45.09 Euro for 1 m3 of water. WOW!
Life in Bulgaria is a blast!
I believe that some of you might be confused.
If I used 6 m3 based on the readings I provided in April, why this bill?
It makes no sense.
Indeed, it doesn't.
They say that there are no recordings on the system for the account in my name now.
The first recording, as deduced from the online account, goes back to 2021.
But even so, there are no actual recordings, just estimations. I looked for it, and the system proves it. I took screenshots that I will publish at some point.
NOBODY EVER INPUT any real readings for this account.
Then why this bill?
From where, since when, based on what estimations, random numbers pressed by who?
The previous owner paid his bills before transferring the account in my name. How was he charged for these bills? We provided the accurate readings.
What numbers were taken into consideration when he transferred the contract?
Still estimations?
Three years of estimations?! And nobody picked it up before November 2023?
The luck of the draw!
If this water consumption goes back to 2021, why didn't this come to light earlier when the ex-owner was here?
Do you see why I am so lost?
WHAT IS GOING ON?
WHO IS BEHIND THIS AND WHY NOBODY ANSWERS TO MY EMAILS?
Honestly, because I trust people, I suspect that there was a data loss in the system. A bug or error may have erased most of the records in the account that is now in my name. I do not believe that it was a deliberate act targeting me specifically.
That is absurd!
No?
What I don't understand is why nobody is willing to help me uncover the truth?
The Challenge of Communication
Navigating the intricacies of this situation has been compounded by the language barrier. As I do not speak Bulgarian, my reliance on online translators became paramount. Despite reaching out for elucidation, responses were scarce, leaving me at a loss for the next steps.
The Plea for Assistance
Two of my Bulgarian friends have made several phone calls to the local water office, and their only reply was, "PAY THE BILL. PROBLEM SOLVED."
The same response was received when I visited accompanied by a friend. Despite no readings found on the system prior to the one they recorded in November, the bill remains. This is highly irregular and constitutes an abusive billing situation.
In my quest for resolution, I reached out to the offices VIK (twice), and today I wrote to the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission emphasizing the urgency of the matter and the repercussions on my mental and physical well-being.
I kindly asked for a review of attached documents and assistance in rectifying the situation, expressing concern that the issue might escalate further.
If, despite providing
proof and facts, I cannot reach a resolution because nobody gives me answers,
what should I do?
Go to the press?
Seek an audience with the President?
Chain myself to the Parliament doors?
Set myself on fire in a public place?
Go to the press?
Seek an audience with the President?
Chain myself to the Parliament doors?
Set myself on fire in a public place?
I don't know!
All I know is that I won't stop until I get clarity!
My menopausal mind contemplates all sorts of these scenarios, pure knowing that public officials have bigger fish to fry.
All I know is that I won't stop until I get clarity!
My menopausal mind contemplates all sorts of these scenarios, pure knowing that public officials have bigger fish to fry.
I moved to Bulgaria to write, and write I do. Emails after emails, followed by more emails, and blogs after blogs about a fantastic water bill, with nobody knowing when the real reading was input into the system before November 2023.
I came here to start making a living, and instead, I find myself buried in debt to water companies!
To amplify my voice and document the ongoing saga, I initiated a new blog: https://elusivehomestead.blogspot.com which should really have the title that this post is carrying: "Bulgaria Expat Life: A Fantastic Water Bill and Where to Find the Readings."
Conclusion: Seeking Answers and Advocating for Change
As an expat, navigating bureaucratic intricacies can be daunting, especially when faced with unexplained challenges and you cannot speak the language.
Through sharing this journey, I aim not only to seek resolution for my predicament but also to shed light on the challenges expats may encounter in a foreign system.
This is an ongoing story, and I would like to invite you to join me in uncovering the truth behind this water bill conundrum. I will advocate for clarity, fair treatment, and a smoother expat experience for all.
What a labyrinth my life in Bulgaria as an expat has become. I am exhausted.
BONUS: Common Sense Advice
When transferring any contract into your name, ensure that they accurately input the data you provided. Ask for proof of your account status and the recorded numbers.
Don't delay in logging online and checking for yourself.
Trusting the system might be a very bad idea.
I can't stop but wonder if data was erased, when did it exactly happen?
If I had logged in online to this murky water account in April, or at least before November, would I have faced the same problems?
I really do not know.
NOTHING MAKES ANY SENSE.
Honestly, it seems like someone just input random numbers one day as a joke.
But it's not April's Fools, and I am not laughing.
Thank you for your attention.
Please come back soon and stay in touch!
PS Have a fantastic time and lots of success in your endeavours!