Citizens Energy Group is blaming higher water bills on a fluctuation in read dates on meters and an outdated bill estimation system.

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Spokesperson Sarah Holsapple says they're doing away with the estimation system come Fall. However, she adds that the warm weather has allowed meter readers to get out earlier than normal to check meters. Holsapple says those early reads are reflecting bills that are surprising customers.

Holsapple says in some the cases the bills may be higher. However, she adds that some customers may be noticing lower bills and then bills that have significant jumps to make up the previous month's difference. Holsapple says the bills are not the result of higher Citizens Energy Group rates, but merely the fluid read dates. Holsapple says bill fluctuations also exist due to a sometimes sketchy bill estimation system which will end come Fall.