What to know:
- Sergio Montanez says his latest bill was $743.51 after the city installed a new water meter in September.
- His previous three bills were $217.67, $232.91 and $278.67.
- Montanez says city officials told him the new meter recorded a water-leak alert lasting two days.
- Montanez says he never noticed a leak and is puzzled by how it could have stopped without any repairs.
- No inspection was conducted: The city’s water department said crews were not sent to the property because the leak alert was no longer active.
- A city water department staff member said residents who receive a leak alert through the new meter app should contact the city immediately so someone can investigate.
- He says paying the $743.51 charge forced him to adjust other expenses and believes the city should have reviewed or adjusted the amount.
- Montanez is calling for a clearer explanation from the city and urges residents to monitor their water bills and meter apps for unusual activity.
LINCOLN PARK — A Lincoln Park homeowner is questioning a steep spike in his water bill after the city installed a new meter, saying its explanation, a short-term leak, doesn’t make sense.
Sergio Montanez said his most recent bill was $743.51.
“I was pissed because, like I said, that’s triple the amount that I normally pay,” Montanez said…