IRMO, S.C. — The seven commissioners of the Public Service Commission listened intently to dozens of people in the Irmo area, as they voiced their concerns over the proposed water and sewer rate increase of Blue Granite Water Company.
"This rate increase that they've asked for is ridiculous," says Bill Byrd.
Under the proposal, water rates could go up between 35-55 percent, while sewer rates could increase by 56 percent.
"We just love living in Irmo, but I can't justify these increases," says Kent Hadley.
"You got to look in both or your hands and ask the Lord, should I pay my sewer bill or should I go to the grocery store," says Pamela Burton. "You don't know which one to do, because they are always asking for a rate increase."
Everyone who spoke, explained that the rate increase would be out of their financial comfort zone. Some even said they considered moving.
However, there was more concern over billing, and why rates weren't based on usage.
"This is the first place I've ever lived where sewer was not somehow measured commensurate to the water usage," says Diana Lackey.
"The biggest thing I'm getting out tonight is what I call truth in billing," says Mayor Barry Walker, of the Town of Irmo. "A lot of people are getting billed a 13 dollar water bill, they're paying $65 in sewer, now they are proposing they pay $101 in sewer. That's ridiculous."
Blue Granite Water says the flat rate is because they go through municipalities in order to provide sewer services, and they have a flat cost to treat the water.
"Especially in Irmo, we have a lot of subdivisions where we are only the sewer provider," says Reese Hannon, communications and community relations for Blue Granite. "So, it's tough for us. We don't have a meter to get water usage. So that adds an extra layer to how we would have to calculated the sewer bill."
The utility company says that more than half of this rate increase is "pass-through costs being charged by local municipalities that are using our request to shield themselves from public scrutiny with costs that only they can control."
The Public Service Commission will continue hearing from ratepayers between now and the end of February, when they will vote on the potential rate increase.