EDGARD — Recent higher-priced water bills have caught many local residents by surprise.

St. John the Baptist Parish Chief Financial Officer Ross Gonzales told Parish Council members this week that staff members are working with residents regarding their most recent bills, some of which reflect expanded billing cycles, thus increasing the amount.

Gonzales said batteries have been failing on transmittal readers the parish installed in homes 10 years ago.

He said the batteries have a 10-year life span, which explains why so many are failing.

In the past several months, more than 1,800 batteries have been replaced, but the result is more meters have to be read manually, increasing the cycle.

Gonzales noted in some cases the billing period has been as high as 42 days, adding it “should average out” because the customer would receive nine bills instead of 12.

“A lot of people, me included, are retired and live on a fixed income,” Councilman Lennix Madere Jr. said.

“This is something out of their budget that they can’t afford.”

The parish has increased the number of workers in the field to change the batteries, and residents with concerns are asked to contact the Parish office.

— By Richard Meek