Chicago Family Mistakenly Charged $17K for Water Bill

New homeowners Sergio Villegas and his wife were shocked to receive an astronomical water bill, but the city eventually corrected the error.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 12:08am

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An abstract, out-of-focus scene of a residential street at night, with warm, glowing streetlights and the faint silhouettes of homes in the background, conveying a sense of domestic tranquility despite the billing issues faced by the family.A new homeownership dream is clouded by unexpected utility billing challenges, exposing the need for greater transparency and customer support from local governments.Chicago Today

Sergio Villegas and his wife, new homeowners in Chicago, were shocked to receive a $17,395 water bill in January. After reaching out to the city and their local alderman, an inspection found the meter was incorrectly read, and the city ultimately dismissed the bill and credited their account $359.

Why it matters

This story highlights the challenges homeowners can face with inaccurate utility bills, especially for new homeowners unfamiliar with the process. It also shows the importance of residents advocating for themselves and working with local officials to resolve billing errors.

The details

Villegas and his wife had recently purchased their first home in Chicago. When they received a $17,395 water bill in January, they were stunned, as their normal bills were around $103 or less. The family reached out to the city to appeal the charges, but were initially told they still owed over $16,000. Villegas went to City Hall in person to dispute the bill, but was unsuccessful. With the help of their local alderman, Félix Cardona, the city conducted another inspection, which found the water meter was underground and may have been incorrectly read, leading to the astronomical bill.

  • Villegas and his wife purchased their first home in Chicago.
  • In January, the family received a $17,395 water bill.
  • Villegas went to City Hall in person to dispute the charges.

The players

Sergio Villegas

A new Chicago homeowner who received a $17,395 water bill.

Félix Cardona

The 31st Ward Alderman who helped coordinate a water inspection for Villegas.

City of Chicago

The municipal government that issued the incorrect water bill and later corrected the error.

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What they’re saying

“'Normally its $103, maybe less. We've just been nonstop trying to figure out how we can explain this bill.'”

— Sergio Villegas, Chicago homeowner

“'I feel helpless and I want an answer.'”

— Sergio Villegas, Chicago homeowner

What’s next

The city has stated they will continue to work directly with Villegas to ensure the issue is fully resolved.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of homeowners closely monitoring utility bills and working with local officials to address any discrepancies. It also underscores the need for municipalities to have robust systems in place to prevent billing errors, especially for new homeowners unfamiliar with the process.