Hey guys,
So my new neighbor just moved in and apologized for a contractor coming out and hooking up their hose to our bib. I realized he might have been onto something so I went over and turned off the water shut-off valve to our unit.
Sure enough, the water was cut-off to the spout by our walkway. Thing is, I always thought this spout was part of the common grounds and billed to the HOA - this is because it's 'publicly' accessible in the sense that anyone can walk up to our walkway where the bib is, hookup a hose, and start using the water. And this has happened in the past - our old neighbor would have Stanley Steemer come out 1-2 times a year and more recently someone had their mobile car washing service pull up in front and wash/detail their cars. Stupid me just never thought to check and verify :T
I am wondering though, if it's a possibility that this particular spout has a meter attached to it that could be billed separately? I find that unlikely since our shut-off controls the flow of water to it but I wouldn't know for sure either.
In the case that this is actually part of our water line, what's the best thing to do to rectify it (outside of asking contractors/landscapers *not* to use it and things being awkward)? I've already contacted the HOA to confirm if this actually is supposed to be *their* responsibility or not. It's just weird because it's in a location that anyone can walk up to as I mentioned. Most other neighbors don't have anything like this...
As far as water usage, we have variances of anywhere from $10-15 a month but nothing too drastic. Of course, for the past 10 years, who knows what that would have translated to with the contractors (who I didn't hire) who have come by and used it. Then again, it's not a frequent occurrence where landscapers/contractors hookup and use tons of water every day.