Water bill

They want $1800 for the last two years. My landlord receives the bill and didn't notice it showed no usage, not even an estimate, just the connection fee of $33/ mo. I was told I had 6 months to pay, but am now being billed a 10% late fee. It is obvious my home is occupied, and in that time, they should have been alerted to a problem if they weren't getting a reading. Isn't there a limitation of time they can go back in the city's charter? Pleasant Ridge is 6 months. I would deeply appreciate any advice. Tommytharp@live.com