water woe update

So I met with the VP Customer Service of the water company.  Stubborn ole cuss!  Would not budge an inch on the billing , his thing is if the water passes the meter  its no longer his problem.
Did not care about usage patterns, averages or any of that.  Did not accept the meters could be faulty.  So in short I still have to pay this hefty bill. 
He also refused to take responsibility for the fact that for 7 years his company sent the water bill to the wrong person, I never received a bill!
I can go to the regulatory authorities but that's probably years of harassment which I don't have the energy to take on. 
I looked into tanks and such but unfortunately the way my house is plumbed I would have to spend a fortune on tanks and pumping facilities to keep the water flowing through the house.  Aargh!
So my least unpalateable option is actually paying off the bill (I soo wish I were strong enough to fight this!)At least he conceded to giving me 7 months to pay off the balance.
Not the resolution I would have wanted but letting it go ... putting it out there..6 months crisis free..so let it be.