Chicago Water Bill Sudden Increase

[Blake Alan Quarrie]

Has anyone else noticed a significant increase in their Chicago water bill recently? Since acquiring a four-unit property on the Northwest side, my bi-monthly bill has typically been around $500. However, after participating in the City's lead water replacement program, I was informed that I had been underbilled. Following the installation of a new water meter, I received a true-up for the previous underbilling.

Since the meter replacement, my water usage has increased by approximately 20%, and I am now receiving monthly bills instead of the previous bi-monthly statements. As a result, my bill has effectively risen from $500 bi-monthly to $700 monthly since the pipe replacement. I've had my GC run through the property and he did not discover any leaks, so I'm purely confused why I'm seeing this massive increase.

[Jarret Jarvis]

You're definitely not alone—several Chicago landlords have reported similar issues after getting new meters installed. A few things to consider:

1. True-Up & Billing Cycle Change

• Since you were underbilled before, your current bills may reflect actual usage rather than an artificially low estimate.
• The switch from bi-monthly to monthly billing means your payments are more frequent, making the cost feel higher even if the overall rate hasn’t changed.

2. Meter Accuracy & Increased Usage

• Older meters can sometimes undercount usage due to wear. The new meter is likely more accurate, which could explain the sudden increase.
• If your GC ruled out leaks, check for silent water waste—running toilets, leaky faucets, or inefficient appliances can add up.
• Compare historical usage (gallons consumed) rather than just cost to see if the jump is truly abnormal.

3. Rate Increases & Fees

• Chicago has been steadily increasing water rates and fees, especially for properties with new meters. The Sewer Charge and Water Supply Tax may be higher now.
• Check if you’re now subject to automatic annual rate hikes based on CPI, which could contribute to the increase.

4. Next Steps

• Contact 311 or the Chicago Department of Water Management to request a meter recheck or usage audit.
• If the new bills seem drastically off, request a review for billing errors or adjustments.
• Consider installing low-flow fixtures or monitoring usage with a smart meter device to ensure there’s no hidden waste.

It’s frustrating, but you’re not alone in this! Hope this helps.