West Bend council postpones decision on resident’s sewer-charge appeal after outdoor leak; utilities policy cited

A West Bend resident told the Common Council on April 7, 2025, that he seeks a reduction in the sewer portion of an unusually large utility bill after an outdoor hose bib leaked water into his backyard that staff said did not enter the sanitary sewer system. Council members agreed to postpone a decision for two weeks so staff and the resident can exchange billing details and the council can review the sewer utility’s long-standing policy on leak credits.

Mike Phillips said the water department discovered an outdoor leak and that the water had drained into his yard rather than into the sewer. Phillips told the council his most recent bill was $4,817.98, with a sewer charge of $3,018; he said his typical sewer charge is about $200 and asked the council to reduce the sewer portion. “My water bill is $4,817.98,” Phillips said. “I’m asking that a reduction in the bill be made just in the sewer tax portion of that.”

Sewer utility staff told council members the utility’s policy is not to grant credits for unknown leaks. “Sewer Utilities policy is, we don't give credits on unknown leaks,” the sewer manager said during the discussion, noting the policy has been in place for more than 30 years and that the city has limited ability to determine where leaked water ultimately went. Utilities staff explained the water utility—regulated by the Public Service Commission—may be able to issue limited credits under PSC rules, but the sewer utility is not PSC-regulated and historically has not issued sewer credits for unknown leaks.

Council members expressed sympathy for Phillips but also concern about precedent. Some aldermen said the case appears to be an accidental, exterior leak discovered by water department workers and said they would consider a one-time exception; others warned that granting relief in one case could prompt more requests and would require the utility to review many individual situations. City Attorney Ian advised the council that it could make an exception but should be mindful of setting precedent.

After discussion the council voted to postpone consideration to its next meeting and asked staff and Mr. Phillips to exchange additional billing records and contact information so members could review the account before taking a final vote. The mayor asked Phillips to email billing details rather than posting account information on the public video stream. The council asked staff to be prepared to explain the sewer-utility policy’s application to comparable past inquiries.

Motion to postpone the item to the next meeting carried by voice vote.