Lincoln Park Homeowner Questions $743 Water Bill After New Meter Installed

A Lincoln Park homeowner is challenging the city's explanation for a sharp rise in his water bill, which arrived after a new meter was installed at his home in September.

Sergio Montanez said his latest bill came to $743.51. His three previous bills were $217.67, $232.91 and $278.67. "I was pissed because, like I said, that's triple the amount that I normally pay," Montanez said.

When he contacted the city to find out whether rate increases or some other issue was behind the jump, he was told the new system had detected a leak. According to Montanez, city officials said the meter generated a water-leak alert that lasted two days.

Montanez disputes that account. "To my knowledge, I never had a water leak," he said. "I've been living here for six years. Never had a water leak, even with the old meter that I had." He shared city paperwork showing the two-day alert, but said he never saw any sign of a leak in or around his home.

He said he asked the city to send someone to look into it, but was told there was no need because the leak was no longer present. Montanez said he found it odd that a leak flagged by the new system would appear and then seem to end without any repairs.

Local 4 contacted the city's water department on his behalf and spoke by phone with a staff member who identified herself as Kelly. She confirmed that the new metering system had indicated a leak but said it had stopped. It is unclear how that happened, she said, though it could be connected to something the owner did. Crews were not dispatched to the property because the alert was no longer active.

Kelly added that residents who use the app connected to the new meters should contact the city right away if they see an alert reading "leak." In those cases, she said, the city could send someone to investigate.

Montanez said he ended up paying the full $743.51, which forced him to adjust other expenses. He believes the city should have reviewed the charge or adjusted it. "If we're paying all of this money in taxes and everything, we at least expect some type of explanation, more than they're giving us," he said.

He is urging other residents to keep a close eye on their water bills and meter apps, and to contact the city quickly if anything looks unusual.