Glitch hits Highland Park residents with huge water bill

HIGHLAND PARK, Mich. (WXYZ) - Highland Park residents are doing a double take after getting ambushed by huge water and sewage bills.

Many residents received bills just before Christmas for thousands of dollars.

The reason – a glitch in the city’s billing system created a backlog, so many folks didn’t get a bill for around 12 months. Now, homeowners are getting slammed with sewage and water invoices for the entire year.

Along with the bills, citizens also received a letter warning them that they must pay some or all of the total-- or risk having their service shut down.

The city’s mayor played down the warning letters, telling Action News that residents who cannot pay can work with the city – he’s pledging not to turn off anyone’s water.