Tega Cay residents protest water, sewer rate hikes

For months, residents of Fort Mill have been fighting to have a proposed water and sewage rate increase overthrown. Last night they were able to share their concerns with South Carolina’s Public Service Commission.

Though Carolina Water Service’s request to increase rates is backed by a claim to improve utility infrastructures, residents argued last night that they have not seen any improvements since their last rate increase two years ago.

Resident Linda Stevenson challenged that claim Monday by providing commissioners with a presentation compiled of images of damages that have not been repaired since their last increase in 2010.

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In addition to failure to complete basic repairs, Stevenson said she was disappointed with the way customer complaints are addressed.

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Carolina Water Service proposes to increase water rates by 18 percent and sewage rates by 67 percent.

South Carolina’s Public Service Commission will meet on January 8th in Columbia to analyze the proposal and to make a final decision.