Saugus Homeowners Demand Answers Over Outrageous Water Bills

Several Saugus residents are fed up with outrageous water bills and the town's lack of response to what's behind them.

Homeowners from several Saugus neighborhoods have reported water bills running into the thousands, even surpassing mortgage payments or annual taxes.

Debra Fauci spoke to NBC10 Boston about opening her most recent bill and finding a $6,800 charge. Weeks later, another arrived in the mail with an invoice for $5,300.

According to Fauci, the town is charging her for approximately 500 gallons a day — an amount she said is like "13 bathtubs filled with water" every day.

When she paid what she thought she reasonably owed toward the first bill, approximately $1,000, the town placed a lien on her condo. It withdrew the remaining amount owed directly from her mortgage escrow account without her knowledge.

Saugus Select Board member Anthony Cogliano said his own water bills have increased significantly — and he's just as upset and confused.

"My water bill was $1,900. I went to the DPW, checked everything, had toilets tested, no leaks," he told NBC10. "This time, my bill was $3,500." He claims his water bill will be $7,000 for this year.

The town has begun replacing meters to improve their accuracy. Town officials have said that new meters can record water usage more accurately — sometimes resulting in higher bills for households that previously had old meters or those that did not make water measurements correctly.

NBC10 reported reaching out to the town manager, the treasurer, and members of the Saugus Select Board for comment, but only Cogliano responded. According to the news outlet, the town has historically adjusted or eliminated excessively high water bills. Still, residents said they don't want to wait for clearer, consistent resolutions from the town to avoid further financial strain.