Millions owed in unpaid water bills

(WWLP) - It's your money and we're watching it. 22News reporter Jaclyn Cashman uncovers the millions of dollars owed for unpaid water bills.

It's one of the first bills homeowners push aside when they're having financial trouble.

Kathy Pedersen, from the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission, said, "What we get worried about is when Winter comes, because we don't shut off water between October 31st and March 15th."

The Springfield Water and Sewer Commission has about $2.66 million in unpaid bills from homeowners. On the books, surprisingly the city of Springfield is the biggest offender.

But it is a bit misleading, because the Springfield Office of Housing is listed as the owner of properties that they have foreclosed on for non-payment of taxes.

So once Springfield sells the land and repays itself then the Water and Sewer Commission gets a check.

You have between 90-120 days to pay your bill before it's shut off during non-Winter months.

It costs $100 to shut the water off and $75 to turn it back on.