# LA couple faces $9,200 water bill after broken meter

> Retired nurse and Vietnam veteran face $9,200 water bill due to broken utility meter.
- Title: LA couple faces $9,200 water bill after broken meter
- Summary: Retired nurse and Vietnam veteran face $9,200 water bill due to broken utility meter. Retired LA nurse and Vietnam War veteran husband must pay $9,200 for…
- Keywords: joyce howell, lads, los angeles, water bill, broken meter, vietnam veteran, retired nurse, news, entertainment, couple, faces, 200
- Source: California Post — https://nypost.com/2026/10/22/us-news/los-angeles-couple-faces-9200-ladwp-water-bill-after-broken-meter-went-unnoticed-for-years
- Published: 2026-10-22T05:50:46+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: joyce howell, lads, los angeles, water bill, broken meter, vietnam veteran, retired nurse, news, entertainment
## Retired nurse and veteran face water bill
Retired nurse Joyce Howell and her Vietnam War veteran husband must pay $9,200 for water used between February 2023 and March 2026.
## Meter broken for three years
LADWP representative confirmed the utility meter at their 3,100-square-foot home had been broken for more than three years.
## Family reaction to bill
Howell’s daughter said LADWP expected elderly parents on fixed income to pay the massive bill after decades of service.
## LADWP payment plan
LADWP reduced the couple’s bimonthly payments from $360 to $100 after news of the bill spread.
## Key takeaway

Retired LA nurse and Vietnam War veteran husband must pay $9,200 for water used over three years after utility meter went unmeasured.