Patrece Lee, the ex-Houston city manager, is at the center of a corruption investigation involving city water contracts.

Over half of Houston’s residents are renters, many living in apartment complexes scattered across the city. For those who pay their water bill to their landlord rather than directly to the water department, disputing discrepancies in the bill can become a complex and frustrating process.

The KPRC 2 'DRAINED' investigation into inaccurate and outrageous water bills got big results this past April. Now four months into the Houston Mayor's plan to fix the water billing issues we wanted to know if it's working. What's changed? And who's in charge of fixing all of the problems we exposed? KPRC 2 Investigative reporter Amy Davis is looking out for you as she checks the city's progress in correcting the water problems draining so many of you.

Patrece Lee, the former Houston Public Works manager, admitted to lying to the inspector general's office about one of the emergency water repair contractors she awarded millions to being her relative.

'DRAINED' Investigation fallout. Court records now reveal Patrece used some of the money she got in kickbacks for a so-called charity she also set up. Investigator Amy Davis is taking you inside the charity to show you where some of your tax dollars went.

A new charge has been filed against a former city manager at the center of a contract corruption scandal in Houston.

We are hearing more from one of the main people charged in the city of Houston contract corruption scandal. KPRC 2 Investigator Amy Davis was in court today for the latest developments in the case was first brought to light because of the KPRC ‘DRAINED’ Investigation.

The KPRC 2 ‘DRAINED’ Investigation is getting big results! You may know last month seven people were charged in a water line repair scandal, after Amy Davis exposed shady contract dealings. This is after the entire Houston water department changed the way they bill Houston customers. All of this is in addition to the massive amount of money Amy and the team have helped get back for customers with high and confusing water bills.

A small change to prevent another multi-million-dollar corruption scandal like the one KPRC 2 Investigates exposed in the Houston water department. Our ‘DRAINED’ investigation led to seven criminal indictments. Investigative reporter Amy Davis went to the Houston city council meeting to find out about the new change to city processes.

💣 Shocking revelations have come to light about a corruption scandal involving waterline repair contracts in Houston. Investigative journalist Amy Davis with KPRC 2 Investigates has been at the forefront, uncovering the truth behind the shady deals that cost taxpayers millions of dollars.🔍 Several defendants have been charged with bribery, abuse of official capacity, and tampering with government documents. This case continues to unfold, and with ongoing investigations, more people may be implicated.

During her first appearance in Probable Cause court Friday, a judge accosted her for abusing her position as a public servant noting there are still more than half a million dollars worth of unaccounted funds.

Patrece Lee has a court date scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday morning. She’s the first to appear in court following the charges being filed.

Houston Mayor John Whitmire responds to corruption charges against seven people in a city water line repair scandal uncovered during KPRC 2's 'DRAINED' investigation.

A major break in our ‘DRAINED’ Investigation into the City of Houston water department. Seven people at the center of the waterline repair contract scandal KPRC 2 Investigates exposed are charged with bribery, abuse of official capacity and tampering with government documents.

Big developments stemming from the KPRC 2 ‘DRAINED’ Investigation into the City of Houston water department.

After nearly two years of dogged reporting in our investigation of water bills “draining” Houstonians the city of Houston has made big changes. Investigative reporter Amy Davis is taking you back and following up with the very first water customer we introduced you to see how he’s doing 18 months later.

If you haven’t received your April water bill from the City of Houston, you may be pleasantly surprised. Several customers reached out to Investigative reporter Amy Davis curious about why they received credits to their bills. We are explaining why water customers are getting money back and what to look for on your own bill.

Houston water customers DRAINED from inaccurate, exorbitant bills are hopeful the mayor’s new plan to fix the problems will work. But many of you have questions about the process. Investigative reporter Amy Davis has answers to your most common water bill plan questions.

Houston’s latest water rate increase took effect April 1st. The city said the average customer will notice about a 9% increase in their monthly bill. Investigative reporter Amy Davis crunched the numbers to show you what it looks like on real accounts and she’s sharing what the city may do with the extra money.

After nearly two years of KPRC 2 Investigates DRAINED series exposing failures at the Houston Water Department, Mayor John Whitmire announces major changes. This comes a few weeks after Mayor Whitmire talked with Amy Davis about the ongoing issues and his work to find solutions for people.

After nearly two years of KPRC 2 Investigates DRAINED series exposing failures at the Houston Water Department, Mayor John Whitmire is announcing major changes.

The KPRC 2 ‘DRAINED’ Investigation is helping people get to the bottom of water bill issues in Houston. Investigator Amy Davis has gotten questions from renters about water bills. Often if you live in an apartment you know water bills can be unpredictable. One month it’s high and the next month it’s low. Here’s a way to determine what you actually owe for your water bill.

While Houston homeowners struggle with inaccurate, seemingly impossible water bills we are hearing from landlords and renters who say they are ‘DRAINED’. Investigative reporter Amy Davis is getting to the bottom of one apartment complex water bill that - if unresolved- could leave renters homeless.

Houston’s water rates are going up again in less than two weeks on April 1st. It’s the fourth increase since September of 2021. Investigative reporter Amy Davis explains how much you can expect your bill to increase and what the city is doing with the extra money.

Got a high water bill you don’t think you owe? A lot of you are asking Amy Davis what you should do about it. Her answer has changed from what she told many of you last year.

Houston Mayor John Whitmire is sharing new details about a plan to help frustrated water customers. He gave an exclusive interview to Investigative reporter Amy Davis. ‘DRAINED’ has been investigating the water department for nearly two years trying to help many of you deal with excessive and confusing water bills. But we wanted to know, who will be in charge?

After a year+ of KPRC's DRAINED Investigation, we are learning of big changes to help customers frustrated by water bill issues in Houston.

For the first time in nearly six years a Houston victim of hurricane Harvey is waking up in her own bed in a brand new home. It wasn’t just the floodwaters that kept Julia Benjamin from getting back home. A $39,000 City of Houston water bill almost kept her from getting the new home she qualified for from the Texas General Land office.

While Houston water customers wait for relief from inaccurate and unexplained high water bills that’s left them ‘DRAINED,’ KPRC 2 Investigates has discovered the head of Houston Public Works, memorializing the department with trinkets we’re all paying for.

KPRC 2 ‘Our Town’ dives into Alief/Westwood area + Amy Davis checks out the status of the water meter sensor updates.

‘DRAINED’ Investigation into Houston water bills looks into what you are paying and why.

Each week we in our ‘DRAINED’ Investigation are showing you water bills for hundreds, even thousands of dollars that are “draining” Houstonians. NEW TODAY: We are asking questions about the planned water bill increases and extra city money. Investigative reporter Amy Davis explains why some are questioning whether the city needs the extra revenue.

KPRC 2 Investigates is learning more about a plan to help people who have water bill issues. Houston Mayor John Whitmire is still working on the plan, but he mentioned a few details this week.

Customers who have been hit when never-ending water bills by Houston’s Public Works Department can see some relief if they are willing to pay a one-time fee of $150. KPRC 2 Investigates have been working closely with the Public Works Department, the city of Houston, and local officials to get answers on the ongoing charges.

A big update on KPRC 2′s ‘DRAINED’ Investigation into Houston water bills. Investigator Amy Davis was first to tell you about the outrageous water bills from the city of Houston and she’s been helping customers get thousands of dollars in refunds. Now that there’s a new administration Mayor John Whitmire wants to bring some much-needed relief and prevent these types of bills.

Some 7,000 property owners in the city of Houston are paying monthly water bills even though they haven’t used a single drop of water. Houston City Council voted to change the ordinance in December to give those customers are way to stop the never-ending charges. But even with that change, the water department is still sending monthly bills without letting those citizens know there is a way to make them stop.

Houston water customers are starting 2024 just as drained as they were in 2023, trying to resolve inaccurate and unexplained water bills. Investigative reporter Amy Davis is giving you peek inside a water customer’s administrative hearing to dispute his big bill.

KPRC 2 Investigates has learned the city of Houston is far behind schedule, stopping the flow of water.

It’s always interesting to see the new types of gadgets and technology that people are working on. A product featured during this year’s Consumer Technology Association’s annual trade show (or CES) is something we featured in our ‘DRAINED’ Investigation! KPRC 2 Investigator Amy Davis tested a water monitoring device that could help frustrated water bill customers.

When KPRC 2 Investigates first exposed the conflicts of interest to the City of Houston city leaders told us they referred the allegations to the Office of Inspector General to investigate. Now, six weeks later Investigative reporter Amy Davis is explaining what that office does and does not do.

The Houston City Council passed a high water bill relief plan Wednesday. Check out what the ordinance changes mean for all water bill customers.

We are getting results from our ‘DRAINED’ investigation into Houston water bills. This week city leaders plan to address the issue at city council, hopefully with some solutions. Plus, while we are hearing from more of you who have issues others are getting the help they need.

Questionable emergency water repair contracts under investigation as Houston employees come forward to share their stories.

We know Houston water customers are ‘DRAINED’ dealing with huge bills you don’t think you owe. Investigative reporter Amy Davis has shared dozens of cases from customers looking for help. KPRC 2 has the hard numbers to show the growing problem and which areas of Houston have the most people asking the city to adjust their bills.

Our KPRC 2 Investigation into water department issues leaving you ‘DRAINED’ is now getting the attention of the candidates competing to be Houston’s next mayor.

Amy has been waiting nearly 15 months for documents the Texas Attorney General already told the City of Houston to hand over. What’s the holdup?

A 'DRAINED' Investigation in a high water bill turns into a call to action. Community volunteers, nonprofit organizations and businesses team up to help fix up a war veteran's home.

The Houston mayor said his administration has a plan to address high water bill issues in our city. He made the announcement late Tuesday, the same day multiple Houston City Council members submitted a notice to place water bill relief on the city council agenda. This is all a result of KPRC 2′s DRAINED investigations.

A tense moment between KPRC 2 Investigates’ Amy Davis and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner over the city’s water billing and infrastructure problems has gone viral. We’ve gotten a lot of comments and questions about what Mayor Turner was referring to in his comments on Nov. 15.

“You are very rude.” That is what the Mayor of Houston told Investigator Amy Davis when she tried to get him to answer questions about our ‘DRAINED’ Investigation into water bill issues. KPRC 2 viewers are reacting to how the Mayor handled the situation.

KPRC 2 Investigates uncovers millions of dollars in city contracts related to the water department linked to questionable companies. Your tax dollars ‘DRAINED’ while so many people are struggling with increasing water rates and sky-high bills.

When it comes to our 'DRAINED' series one of them says, "That's the kind of reporting transparency we need."

Upset about a high-priced water bill? You're not the only one. We'll tell you why your water meter may be the root of the problem.

Houston's Mayor had some choice words for KPRC 2 Investigates Amy Davis two weeks after residents praised her, and Council Members pledged to help them finally.

When customers get bills showing two times, three times, up to ten times the amount of water they normally use they don’t trust the city or the meter. Investigative reporter Amy Davis shows one way to test the city’s reading.

During our ‘DRAINED’ Investigation many of you have asked: Will the city of Houston shut off my water?

You’ve demanded answers and accountability after 18 months of outrageous water billing issues in the city of Houston. Now we’re back with updates.

Take a look back via our timeline below at the comprehensive KPRC 2 Investigates yearslong Houston probe into high bills, meter issues, dirty water and lack of city response.

Standing before Houston City Council Tuesday night, Niya Valentine said her water bill has been a headache.

After 18 months, KPRC 2 Investigates looks into how Houston city leaders have responded to high water bill problems.

Elected leaders may be getting an ear full from folks with water woes because they're frustrated by the high rates of their water bills and are feeling ‘DRAINED.’

On Tuesday, 27 people signed up to speak about their water bill problems after KPRC 2 Investigates asked the community to address the council after 18 months of reporting on unexplained water usage, meter readings, and billing problems.

To help with those water bill issues, we've set up a meet-up in front of City Hall to speak before the City Council on Tuesday at 2 p.m.

As KPRC 2 Investigates Houston water customers ‘DRAINED’ from dubious and sometimes inaccurate water bills we’ve noticed a troubling trend. Instead of getting to the bottom of what’s causing the irregular bills Investigator Amy Davis says the city is using money earmarked for low-income families to pay itself.

Got a high water bill you don’t think you owe? You’re not alone. Since last November we have received calls and emails from more than 500 city of Houston water customers who are feeling ‘DRAINED’. Investigator Amy Davis has five things you should do in this order when you get a crazy high bill.

Where the city of Houston failed 92-year-old Navy veteran Jessie Lara, the people of Houston have stepped up to help.

One of the biggest problems plaguing Houston water customers with huge bills are estimated meter reads.

Each time we introduce you to someone dealing with water bill struggles we hear from more of you. Investigator Amy Davis answers some of your questions.

A homeowner called KPRC 2 Investigator Amy Davis after dealing with a water bill issue for years. A meter issue left her with a huge bill that stood in the way of getting the federal Hurricane Harvey relief money she needed.

A Houston water customer called KPRC 2 Investigates when she said the city stuck her with a $2,400 water bill caused by its faulty equipment. It’s a six month ordeal that mentally ‘DRAINED’ this Kingwood homeowner. Investigator Amy Davis is getting answers and what you can do if something similar happens to you.

Some water customers in the City of Houston say when they turn on their water, they get only a trickle. Low water pressure is ‘DRAINING’ many of you from downtown to Garden Oaks to southwest Houston. Investigator Amy Davis is getting answers about what the city is doing about it.

Imagine getting a water bill for a home that hasn’t existed in more than 20 years. That’s what happened to one family in Shady Acres. They reached out to KPRC 2 Investigates feeling ‘DRAINED’ after trying to resolve a growing bill with the Houston water department for a year!

KPRC 2 Investigates inaccurate and inflated water bills leaving Houstonians feeling ‘DRAINED.’ One Kingwood homeowner emailed Investigator Amy Davis after trying to get back money the city overcharged him for months.

A 92-year-old Houston navy veteran 'DRAINED' by his Houston water bill is in for a huge surprise. You may remember, Amy Davis first introduced you to Jessie Lara a few months ago. Since then the entire community has pitched in to help.

Inaccurate water bills for thousands of dollars. The city said it doesn't know how it happened. You deserve a better answer. Our KPRC 2 Investigation into water bills leaving you 'drained' continues.

The latest customer satisfaction survey from J.D. Power shows houston customers are not satisfied with our water department. The KPRC 2 Investigates team is breaking down the score that is down for the third consecutive year.

Water rate hikes and your bill. In our ongoing 'DRAINED' KPRC 2 Investigation we look to answer your questions about water bills in the city of Houston. Author, lawyer and businessman Bill King joins Amy Davis to explain how water rate increases impact your bills.

Houston Public Works announced that it has seen a significant reduce in the number of water line leaks throughout the city of Houston.

It doesn’t matter who you are, getting a huge water bill is stressful. But one Houston man’s huge water bill debt revealed a dire dilemma. That’s when our ‘DRAINED’ Investigation turned into a community’s call to action, with dozens of people and businesses stepping up to help.

No one likes a surprise high water bill. You can fight it! We have four steps to take if you get a high water bill.

When Andrea Harclerode contacted KPRC 2 Investigates last February, she had already been asking the Houston water department to help straighten out her meter and billing issues since 2019. A bill for more than $15,000 was the last straw. Three months after KPRC 2 investigative reporter Amy Davis got involved, the city finally resolved the issue.

New electronic reading devices that are supposed to make it easier for the city to accurately get your water meter reading are causing astronomical water bills for Houston customers. The KPRC 2 Investigates team is digging into these water department issues leaving you ‘DRAINED.’ Investigator Amy Davis also has what you should do even if you haven’t received one of these big bills.

Some of you have contacted KPRC 2 about the water bills you’ve received this week. We started looking into it and learned it’s a bigger issue that Houston Public Works addressed last night.

Getting a water bill for hundreds of dollars more than what you usually owe can be shocking. Water customers tell us they’ve done nothing different, and they don’t have any leaks. KPRC 2 Investigates is asking the city what it’s doing to get to the bottom of these unusually large, unexplained bills.

We’ve heard from you about inaccurate, inflated, and excessive water bills. As KPRC 2 Investigates continues digging into these Houston water department issues leaving you “DRAINED,” Amy Davis has discovered one of the many problems is outdated and non-working equipment. This problem translates into inaccurate bills.

KPRC 2 Investigates continues to look into your water bills that are draining so many customers.

Houston Public Works said Monday that it is hosting several events in March to highlight ways to save water and save money on your water bill, including events to learn how to fix common water leaks at home.

Imagine having to start a GoFundMe campaign just to pay your huge water bill. It happened to a Houston college professor. The KPRC 2 Investigates team is sharing his story as we look into Houston water billing issues to help you avoid the same pricey problem.

Imagine paying your water bill every month on time only to learn years later you were actually paying for water your neighbors used. And now the Houston water department says you owe thousands more for your own water. Our KPRC 2 Investigates team has another example of Houston water issues leaving customers ‘DRAINED’.

Hundreds of Houston water customers who have paid their bills on time every month are getting slapped with enormous charges months later with no explanation. The KPRC 2 Investigates team is digging into the billing nightmares that are leaving customers “DRAINED.”

Dirty, brown, sludgy water is leaving homeowners in northeast Houston “DRAINED.” When KPRC 2 Investigates tested rust-colored water coming from the taps, we found 548 times the amount of iron allowed by state standards.

Water leaks and pipe breaks is an expensive problem in Houston. In our ‘DRAINED’ KPRC 2 Investigation we've learned the reason it often takes so long to fix these issues is because the city of Houston has wrong and outdated water pipe maps.

For months KPRC 2 Investigates has been fighting for you - asking why so many people are being “DRAINED" and forced to pay water bills they don't owe. The KPRC 2 Investigates team is actively investigating more than 200 customers who've reached out and our work is getting results.

Houston, we hear you! We keep getting calls and emails from people who need help with the City of Houston water bill issues.

KPRC 2 Investigates discovered the City of Houston was overcharging homeowners for more than 10 times the water they used because city employees were incorrectly reading their water meters.

KPRC 2 Investigates is exposing problems with Houston’s water bills and meter reading issues. In our ‘DRAINED’ Investigation, we learned many of you are getting crazy high bills and waiting months trying to resolve them. As people continue to send us questions and concerns we wanted to share five things you need to do to make sure you are not stuck with an insanely high water bill that you don’t owe.

https://www.click2houston.com/news/investigates/2022/11/14/drained-kprc-2-investigates-demands-answers-for-you-about-water-bill-issues-in-houston/

Inaccurate meter readings and soaring high water bills are leaving many Houston water customers feeling drained. In our KPRC 2 Investigates ‘DRAINED’ series, we have explained the problems. We wanted to know how the City of Houston’s water department compares to other cities. Global research firm J.D. Power has surveyed water customers of municipal utilities for an annual study every year since 2016.

Dozens of you are telling us about your experience with the Houston Water Department. We’ve heard about phone calls, emails unanswered, and little to no communication to explain huge bills that threaten you and your family’s well-being. Now, KPRC 2 Investigates explains a customer’s last chance at getting help and how often it is working.

We’ve heard from you about your water bill frustrations. This week our KPRC 2 Investigates team has been working to find answers to your concerns about water bills.