Non-metered properties with high water bills

[Silvia Falip]

Hi everyone, We received an outrageously high water bill and I wanted to ask for advice or guidance. We live in a non-metered single family house. We called the Chicago Water Department, and they informed us that meter-less properties are billed by estimating water consumption based on certain property parameters established by the county and the Municipal Code of Chicago, and that the only solution to reduce our water billing is to install a water meter. We then proceed to inquire about having a meter installed, but found out the city has suspended their WaterSave program as of as of 06/28/2019, under the pretext of exploring the possible impact of water meter installation on residential lead levels. Incidentally, the city does not allow owners to install meters through an independent third party company, and as a result, we find ourselves trapped in a cycle. On one hand, the city continues to utilize its presumptuous water consumption estimated methodology that errs on the side of “over consumption” (which they recognize on their WaterSave page’s guarantee statement: “On average, single family homeowners with water meters save 25% on their water bills and two-flat owners can save even more. There is a 7-year guarantee that your bill will not be higher than it was without a meter!”), and on the other hand, the city will not install a meter in our property so that we can get accurate water consumption readings, NOR allows us to install a meter through a private company. We are basically forced to continue paying for water that we are NOT utilizing if we take into account: - Water bills from nearby properties with similar characteristics are way lower - The amount of persons living in the property is two - The fact that our bills are issued prior to the actual consumption, and do not take into account factors such as weather (no need for watering the yard), time away from the property (vacation), etc. On a separate note, when we attempted to register our property on the waitlist to get a meter installation (program that is now stopped due to potential lead repercussions), the system declined our property claiming that it was not eligible, although we follow all parameters indicated – a non-metered, residential account for a single family home. We believe this is a completely unfair, abusive, and unreasonable situation, which might affect other many citizens who are stuck within the same conundrum. Any suggestions? thanks!

[Mark Ainley]

@Silvia Falip @Francis Rusnak @Henry Lazerow @Ivy Pierce We have a client that thinks they can hire a private plumber to complete the job so long as the plumber gets a permit and goes to water dept to get the actual new meter.  It was in motion as a trial on a property we manage for them until things hit with Covid in March.   I will keep you updated because even paying $400 in private market to get it done will be made up in a year or so time frame in the difference you pay.  I have been encouraging our client to push on because they might have a new business if they can figure out how to do it legally.