Note: This article has been updated to show a response from Oshkosh Public Works.
Alex Phillips has lived in his Oshkosh home for 3 years. He says his normal water bill is usually between $40 and $50, but in July his bill exceeded $800.
"I looked at the bill and said that can't be right," Phillips said.
He claims the city had an error with its water monitoring system. From July 4th to July 8th, he says he was billed for using around 504,000 gallons of water.
"I don't do nothing. I wash my clothes twice a week and take a shower, but that's it," Phillips said.
504,000 is approximate to 24 average backyard pools, or 56 semi tanker trucks. When he spoke with the city, they thought there was a leak in his house. Phillips says the city inspected his home and found no evidence of water damage. When they tested the meter, it showed it was working fine.
"The meter came back and showed it was 100 percent," Phillips said. "I can't afford a bill that high.
The City of Oshkosh says there was a miscommunication with the man’s bill. Phillips showed NBC 26 a graph where his water usage spiked between July 4 and July 8.
According to Oshkosh Public Works, that graph was not measured in gallons but rather cubic feet. They say Philips used around 56,000 gallons of water, which accurately equals his $800 bill.
The city says there was a miscommunication and Philips may not have known the exact estimates of his water usage. The city says it plans to communicate better with its residents, but it does advise if anyone has any issues to contact the city utilities office.
Philips is still responsible for paying the $800 bill. Phillips said he worked out a payment plan to pay in increments, but he would still like the excessive bill to go away.
