The City of Petersburg announced on Apr. 2 that some utility customers have received bills showing higher usage and charges due to disruptions caused by a severe winter ice storm.
The city said the ice storm affected its regular meter reading schedule, resulting in inaccurate readings for the billing period covering December 23, 2025, to January 23, 2026. This led to the next cycle’s readings (January 23, 2026, to February 23, 2026) including two months of usage instead of one. As a result, current bills may be higher than usual for some customers.
No penalties, interest, or late fees are being applied to these bills. The city is offering payment plans for those who need extra time to pay their balance. Customers whose previous bill already included recorded usage but who still see unusually high charges are encouraged to contact the Petersburg Utility Billing Department for a review.
Residents who experienced frozen pipes or had repairs during this period that led to increased water use can request a billing adjustment by emailing utilitybilling@petersburg-va.org with an explanation and supporting documents such as contractor invoices or receipts for repair materials. The city noted that requests without supporting documentation may take longer or might not be reviewed.
The City of Petersburg thanked residents for their understanding and cooperation during this period.
