Warren County residents oppose proposed water rate increase

Warrenton, N.C. — Residents of Warren and Northampton counties who get their water from a private provider spoke out Tuesday evening against a proposal that would nearly triple their water bills.

Water Company Aqua North Carolina is looking to buy the current water company that provides water service to this area. The North Carolina Utilities Commission held a public hearing in Warrenton to hear objections to the increases planned by Aqua North Carolina that would increase monthly charges from an average $7 per month to more than $17 per month.

Monthly usage charges per thousand gallons would go from $1.50 per month to $5.03 per month.

Water rates in the counties haven't gone up since 1989.

Residents said they are concerned because many customers are retired and are living on a fixed income.

But Aqua North Carolina President Thomas Roberts said the area's rates are among the lowest in the state and that the service that customers currently receive reflects that.

Water employees say there has been very little maintenance to the existing infrastructure. Roberts said the increase would help pay for new infrastructure and better service.

"It's a 270 percent (increase) on a rate increase that hasn't happened since 1989," Roberts said. "It's the same rate the people of Wake County or the people of Mecklenburg County are paying."

The utilities commission is expected to make a decision in August.

14 Comments

WRAL.com welcomes your comments on this story. All comments are moderated prior to publication based on our posting guidelines. Please review them prior to posting and if your message is not approved.

VIEW ALL 14 COMMENTS

This story is closed for comments. Comments on WRAL.com news stories are accepted and moderated between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Latest Comments

For all those out there with their ugly comments about people "whining" about rate increases. Why don't you just worry about your water bill and let them worry about theirs. If they want to "whine" then that is every bit their right. It seems to be your right to "whine" about them "whining". Clearly this isn't really something that has any bearing on your life so go worry about something that does.

belovedsparrow
June 28, 2012 2:44 p.m.

I have a well and septic tank and believe me that aint cheap either. I just had a new well pump installed and it was almost $3,000. We also have a lot of iron in the water and a new filtering system was another 2,000. The filter uses two bags of salt a month and that is another 15.00 a month. And may I also say I am retired and live on a fixed income! 5k would go a long way toward paying a 20.00 a month water bill. And dont forget the septic tank another 200.00 every 5 years to get it pumped out. Do I really have to tell you nothing is cheap? Our water has nasty iron that stains plumbing clothing and everything it touches.

superman
June 28, 2012 2:24 p.m.

15.00 a month for water sounds great, where do I sign,,,

oleguy
June 27, 2012 3:11 p.m.

SOMEONE HAS TO PAY FOR THE NON TAXPAYERS

roaddog3
June 27, 2012 1:20 p.m.

I would MUCH rather have a well & septic tank than be made to drink some ol chemical filled city water or pay to flush my toilet. No way no how not ever do I want to depend on and have to pay for something that I have plenty of, for free, right in my ground.