Aqua North Carolina Inc

March 17, 2009\r \r Edward S. Finley, Jr.\r Chairman NCUC\r 4325 Mail Service Center\r Raleigh, NC 27699\r \r Mr. Finley,\r I am a resident of Mallard Crossing Subdivision. My husband and I have two daughters, one which has moved out two years ago.. We have lived in this house for the past 15 years. I just recently learned about the possibility of Aqua NC Water Company plans to request a higher water rate. When we purchased our house, we went from a $20.00 every three month City of Raleigh Water bill, (which also includes trash/recycle pickup) to $63.00 a month water only bill that summer. Now mind you, my daughter would visit my parents for the whole summer so it was only two of us in the house at the time and the bill was ridiculous. When I investigated I was told that we had a $43.00 flat sewage bill per house. I do agree that it is more expensive to buy/own a home then it is to rent. What I did not understand is that it was two-thirds hirer for the same amount of dwelling space and number of people residing in that space. My apartment was the same square footage as my house. \r Currently our monthly water bill range from $102. - $110. per month. Even though everyone leaves home for approximately 10-12 hours, 6 times a week; now, 2009, I believe the flat sewer fee for our subdivision is $60. per month. No one or even two people would utilize the toilet to justify $60. per month sewage fee. Each year it is consistently going up and your water usage is staying the same. This is a crime. What is worse is that it is a legal crime. The government who continues to approve these ridiculous price hikes. What are they using to justify raising their rates? We do not have a meter to even measure our sewage usage. In addition, we have always and continue to have very poor water conditions. Over half of the neighborhood state that they purchase bottle water for consumption. So, tell me how or what means of justification are they using to continue being granted permission to raise the water rates.\r If you have a leak, they have no sympathy or compassion…Just the give me my money attitude or I will turn your water off tomorrow. Yep! You heard it right at least the City bills you every three months and then you can or may have an overlap before paying your bill in full. Not Aqua its bill today and p1ay tomorrow, NO EXCEPTIONS. Which is also a huge problem since some houses were built in the mid-late 80’s when PVC piping was used, alot of us have had to replace the entire plumbing to hopefully eliminate high water bills but they just continually get the county’s approval to raise their rates.\r When people are use to getting a modest water bill the shock that you receive moving into the neighborhood as well as the poor service you continue to receive is ridiculous. If you choose not to regulate them then at least give us an option of another water company. This is a true example being “monopolized”\r \r Agonized and broke, \r \r \r \r cc: Governor Bev Perdue\r Cons: Water Quaility and Price more

Aqua America NC are among the worst run companies I have ever dealt with. They definately overcharge on the water rates, guess meter readings regularly, charge extortionate sewer rates based on total water gallons. Not to mention the so called ""mantenance fees"" etc. Here in cary/Apex its a rip off. You can buy bottled water for less. \r They don't have a sensible web site thats customer orientated, they don't send paperless e-mail bills, they WON'T accept electronic payments that don't go through a third party (with a charge of course) They have ""bankers hours"" for customer no support. Send you final demands if you are a few days late threatening to cut you off in 3 days of you don't pay NOW. I skipped a payment and got a shut off notice today, 10/17/08 AND must pay em by 8:00am on the 21st or they cut me off. Well there's a week end in there. oh yes, I can go to Food Lion and stand on line to pay them, take a day off work and go to their shambles of a local office, but ....... It really is time these idiots at aqua moved into the 21st century and bught a computer online credit card payment system like everyone else does. Did I mention I pay ALL my other bills on line directly to their site and receive all electronic bills, try that with Aqua's antique systems.\r You'd be better off having a well and a bucket than trying to make any sense of this companies buisness payment practices.\r \r JOHN OUTHWAITE\r 4020 BROOK CROSS DRIVE\r APEX, NC 27539\r Cons: medievil billing systems and HIGH rates more

Aqua North Carolina is already over-priced compared to other suburban areas covered by other companies AND we just received notice today that the rates are being increased! In addition to this, we had a water leak in our front yard, and on the very day we saw a problem, we had it fixed. Then we received an $1800 water bill!! (Our average bill is $110) This is almost 18x the regular monthly amount! After I faxed over our repair bill, I was told that ""there was nothing they could do to help us, since in 2007 we received a $70 credit for a leaking toilet we had fixed""...""and this courtesy that we provide can only be utilized every 2 years""....that's it! end of story! they could care less that this is ridiculous and we can't afford this. They did however offer us the option to make a 'payment arrangement'...GREAT! Pros: You have no choice, so make the best of it if that's possible?? Cons: AWFUL CUSTOMER SERVICE more

If you are thinking of moving into an area serviced by Aqua North Carolina Inc...think twice before moving!! They absoluteley rake you over the coals for water and sewer service!!! In the Apex area of Kildaire Farm Road, they are priced about 6 times higher than that of Raleigh's water and sewer!! Yes, you read right SIX times higher!!! There are 2 adults and an infant in our family and our MONTHLY bill is right around $120. Yip, monthly. We were paying $60 ever THREE months in Raliegh. And before you ask, we are very conservative with our usage (can't afford it here!). \r \r Are you ready for the kicker?? On your bill, they show usage per gallon for water and show usage per gallon of sewage but oddly enough, there is only one meter and that is on the incoming water main!?! How is it possible to measure sewage per gallon without a meter you ask?? They don't...period. They just assume. So if you water your lawn, wash your car or do anything with water that does NOT go down the drain, you are charged sewage for it! Why you ask? Sounds a lot like theft doesn't it? A monopoly is the only reason I can think of. They are crooks if you ask me... In my opinion, look elsewhere if the area you are looking at is serviced by them...and I thought the gas prices were high? Pros: They supply water Cons: It costs you a rediculous amount more