The Atlanta Watershed Management admits there have been problems with water bills.  Spokeswoman Janet Ward tells WSB they randomly tested nine thousand of the city's 127,000 meters.

"We found that there is a very small percentage of problems that could effect billing, but those problems basically aren't generated by the meter itself," said Ward.  "We've got problems.  We know there are problems and even two percent of problems in the system are two many," said Ward.

This Atlanta resident can attest to that.  Last March, her water bill went through the roof.

"I opened up the bill and just about passed out.  My monthly amount went from an average of about $50 to over $760.00.  If you looked at my consumption use, it even spiked for that month, but there was no way that I went from using an amount that went from $50 that went all the way to $767.00. I mean my house would've been under water if that had happened," she said.

The department worked with her and Ward says that's what they'll do with other people whose bills dramatically jump.  The department is going to contract with two outside firms and go and look at every meter in the system, do an audit of all the small and large meters.   The process could take up to 18 months and could cost $7,000,000.

"The way we look it is if it allays fears and recreates the trust that the people need to have in the billing system then it's well worth it," said Ward.