Tega Cay residents rally against proposed water rate increase

Tega Cay Water Service looks to increase residential water rates by 18% and residential sewage rates by 67%. Concerned citizens of Tega Cay met at the Glennon Center last night for a forum about the increased rates.

Regional Director of Utilities Incorporated, Patrick Flynn, spoke to the community about the source of such a large increase in water rates. Flynn said more money is needed to pay taxes, improve water treatment facilities and to fund future developments that will impact water services.

Jasmine Rutledge | WRHI.com

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Fujita, who has lived in Tega Cay for about 6 years, said such an increase may force her to reconsider her residency.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Resident Donna Britsch, who has lived in Tega Cay for almost 25 years said the new requested rates are unreasonable.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

After living in the area for so long, Britsch said she has alread experienced past rate increases, but says said she has yet to witness any visible improvements to the water system.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Also in attendance was resident Linda Stevenson who said Flynn’s plans sound like more broken promises to the people of Tega Cay.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

The regional director of Utilities Inc. did express that over the years they have reduced sewer overflows, improved station performance and installed automatic transfer switches for generators. However, Stevenson felt that asking for more money from residents to handle internal issues with Tega Cay Water Service is still unacceptable.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Many community members of Tega Cay left visibly upset after the community forum for water rate increases last night. Stevenson is a member of the Tega Cay Water Advisory Council and encourages residents to visit norateincrease.com for more information on the public hearing that will be held in December with the Public Service Commission. At the hearing, residents will be able to make sworn statements about the rising water prices.