Back of the Yards resident Diane Carli said the bill has caused significant stress and has left her concerned about potential consequences, including wage garnishment or a property lien if it is not paid.
"Unbelievable. It just I. I can't fathom this," Carli said.
Carli said the vacant home has not had water service for decades.
Knowles asked, "So there's been no water for 50 years?"
"No!" Carli responded.
According to Carli, the large bills began arriving after the City of Chicago installed a new water meter about a year and a half ago. A comptroller with the city's Department of Finance said there had been water leaking in the basement at one point, but the homeowners dispute that claim.
Carli said city records also showed water usage reaching 50,000 gallons on some days, figures she questions.
"You're using 50,000 gallons a day. The water would be coming out," Jason Knowles said during an interview.
"The comptroller has been out here, the water department management's been out here, everybody's been out here," Carli said.
Despite her efforts and assistance from her alderman, Carli said the city still maintains that the balance is owed.
The I-Team has also heard from other property owners who say they are experiencing similar billing issues.
One owner of a vacant property for sale in the Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood said the property received a $13,000 water bill despite the water never being turned on. Another resident said her monthly bill increased from $107 to $1,098.88 even though she said no leaks were found.
Earlier this year, the I-Team reported on an Uptown landlord disputing a $10,000 water bill for six months of water service at a three-unit rental property. The landlord said the charges seemed inaccurate because monthly costs returned to normal after the city installed a new meter, and a maintenance worker did not find any leaks.
The I-Team provided city officials with documentation related to the properties in question. Chicago Department of Water Management Commissioner Randy Conner did not respond to requests for comment.
However, Michael Belsky, comptroller for the Department of Finance, issued a statement saying the Department of Finance and the Department of Water Management take equitable and accurate water billing seriously and "routinely reach out to customers facing billing spikes to assist in determining underlying causes" such as leaks and meter accuracy.
The city did not state that any of the bills provided by the I-Team were accurate.
"This is not fair. I'm a senior. I pay taxes on this property. I have no bills. It has taken a complete toll on me," Carli said.
Belsky also said the city is continuing to explore options to remedy these situations. The I-Team said it will continue following the cases to determine whether any of the disputed balances are reduced or forgiven.
Carli said she has kept the vacant family home for sentimental reasons. She also said a newly received bill now shows a balance of approximately $240,000.