CHICAGO — Unexplained spikes in residential water bills are nothing new in Chicago. NewsNation affiliate WGN Investigates has previously reported how some residents have been hit with bills of more than $10,000.
In the most recent case, Ana Villanueva and her brother were charged more than $18,000 for four months-worth of water.
“At this point, I was sleepless,” said Juan Villanueva. “I couldn’t function. … My typical bill was normally $300 every two months.”
More than three years ago, the siblings had purchased a property near the Northwest Side neighborhood where they grew up. They saw it as a good investment. But then came the big bills.
They called the city and were told a leak could be the reason for the increase. But the plumber they hired couldn’t find one inside their walls.
“So, [the city] said [the leak is] probably in your front lawn or maybe underneath your sidewalk,” said Juan Villanueva.
But months later, when they replaced their lead water service line, no leaks were found there, either.
Ana Villanueva believes a faulty water meter was to blame for the increases. She noted that after the city installed a new meter, their bills dropped to previous levels.
But they still owe the city more than $17,000.
That’s why they reached out to WGN Investigates who shared their story with 36th Ward Alderman Gilbert Villegas. He has worked to fix water billing issues, and helped organize a public hearing on the matter last year.
Villegas said now, thanks to a change in city ordinance, in some cases, a homeowner’s water bill can be lowered if billing mistakes are found.
“It was hopeless before,” he said. “Because no one was really doing anything about it. That’s why I’m anxious to help out this family being impacted by this, this wrongful bill.”
It remains to be seen if the Villanueva’s bill be lowered, as the new ordinance, referenced by Villegas, hasn’t taken effect.
But after we interviewed the alderman, the city called Villanueva and told her she could file an appeal as soon as January 2025.
A city water department spokeswoman declined to comment.
