Morris News Service
COLUMBIA --- Graniteville residents who won relief last week from spiking water and sewer bills are back to Square One.
Jackie Ricciardi/Staff
Treye Sharpe holds up a copy of his last month's water bill in comparison to the current month on Wednesday, August 5, 2009.
The South Carolina Public Service Commission voted Wednesday to reinstate Avondale Mills' higher rates.
The rates, which the commission approved in June, provoked outrage among residents, whose bills were seven or eight times higher than before.
"It's wrong," Rep. Roland Smith, R-Warrenville, a retired minister, told commissioners Wednesday.
"It may be legal ... But in God's eyes, it's wrong. People have been taken advantage of."
Mr. Smith was joined by state Rep. Tom Young, R-Aiken, and state Sen. Shane Massey, R-Edgefield, who all faulted Avondale Mills for not proposing its own compromise when the company rejected their ideas.
But Scott Elliott, the company's attorney, defended the water provider before the commission.
He said the company participated in phone calls and meetings with rate-increase opponents, and "considered each and every proposal."
Avondale officials have said the rate increases were necessary to allow the company to break even, because mill closures had forced them to subsidize the water system.
Commissioner Randy Mitchell said he was aware of residents' struggles, but offered the motion to reinstate the higher rates.
"I know what it is like to work for a living, and I understand the problems that are in that particular community," said Mr. Mitchell, who represents Aiken, Edgefield and eight other counties.
Six community residents attended the Wednesday meeting, including Linda and Ken Hodges of Vaucluse, whose monthly bill jumped from $5.05 to $69 as a result of the increase.
"We have a lot of pipe breakages," said Mrs. Hodges, who had collected complaints from more than a dozen residents.
"But these are all old mill workers that are retired. They have no way of doing anything (to fix them.)"
Mrs. Hodges said she's gone through four hot water tanks in one year and suspects it's because of sand in the water lines.
After the vote, Mr. Young vowed to continue looking for a way to help residents of the community.
"The bottom line is we're going to keep fighting for them, and we're going to find a way to fix this problem," he said.
The next PSC meeting is scheduled for Oct. 6.
"That is too long away," said Mr. Massey.
Graniteville resident Treye Sharpe, who helped organize a community meeting in opposition to the new water and sewer rates, said Wednesday that he hopes to pay his bill, which is due Saturday.
He said he's disappointed with the PSC decision, which raised his monthly assessment from an average of $72 to $597.
Reach Sarita Chourey at (803) 727-4257 or sarita.chourey@morris.com.
Here's a look at how 53,000 gallons could be used:
33,125
Flushes using a new low-flow toilet at 1.6 gallons per flush
1,325
Loads of laundry at 40 gallons a load
2,650
10-minute showers at 2 gallons per minute
53,000
Tooth-brushings, at 1 gallon each
Source: U.S. Geological Survey
THE RULING: The South Carolina Public Service Commission voted Wednesday to reinstate Avondale Mills' adjusted water and sewer rates, which made some Graniteville residents' bills seven or eight times higher.
THE RATE: Graniteville residents who paid a subsidized 51 cents per 1,000 gallons for water will pay $4.50 per 1,000 gallons. For sewer treatment, they will pay $6.50 per 1,000 gallons, an increase from 89 cents per 1,000 gallons.
