Water

Cahors is unusual in that its residents are supplied with water by the city, rather than by an area-wide utility company. I had been warned that water was expensive here, but wasn't upset when my first few bills came in under €100 for a six-month-period.

While I was away in the autumn, a neighbour sent an email to alert me to a major leak in the garden: a pipe had burst and there was now a small pond in the lawn. I telephoned him and between us we shut off all water to the garden. Of course, at the next meter reading, the reckoning came. The bill was for €946. Only then did I notice that the charge for water is actually less than the charge for sewerage, which is calculated on the theory that what comes in must go out. So I had been charged almost €500 for sewerage, although the excess water had drained into the ground.

"Write to the mayor" I was told. I said that I didn't see why the mayor should bother with complaints about water bills. Eventually, however, I was persuaded that that was the only way to get anything done and so I sent off what I thought was a suitably French appeal for justice. In due time I received a polite note from an aide to the mayor to say that my letter had been passed on to the water authority for investigation.

No one expects me to get any rebate on my bill. The city is way over budget on all the public works that were intended to be completed for the 700th anniversary of the mediaeval bridge. (Only the mini-roundabouts seem likely to be finished in time). Watch this space.