‘This is ridiculous’: Mass. residents struggle with skyrocketing water bills

Bay staters are dealing with sticker shock between their latest gas, electric and water bills. One North Shore community is complaining that it doesn't make any sense. Boston 25 News reporter Lisa Greschi is on scene in Saugus tonight, where residents say they are drowning in the cost of water. Residents say water bills are soaring here in Saugus and when they do the math, it just doesn't add up. It's a lot of money. A lot of money down the drain. Longtime Saugus resident Mario D'Amelio walking into Town Hall to pay a water bill he says is unusually high. My water bill is just $900. And because of the time of year, he's not even using that much water right now. I don't use it in the wintertime. I have to pay for it. It's ridiculous. Just as shocked, Susan Campbell is showing us her bill, but at least hers came with some sort of explanation. They did include why it was. They're putting in new water meters, which I have to do next week. The concerns that remain on the rise though, being able to afford these balances now for bills Deb Vossey says used to be a couple hundred dollars quarterly. $6,800 was the last bill and this bill is $5,800. So between the two, it's over $12,000 and they still expect you to pay it. And if there are no leaks or any other issues. There's no water on the floor in the house and it's a condo. These residents want to know why it's been so much more expensive and exactly why they are footing the bill. If I go back to normal with this new meter, how can they say that my pump was fine? Now we did reach out to members of the select board who say they're hearing residents loud and clear and they've actually raised the same concerns with the town manager. In Saugus, I'm Lisa Greschi for your local station, Boston 25 News.