Just got a notice from our town...

**jamie79** · 07-24-2008, 06:22 AM

saying they will be increasing the water rates by 43%. Crazy. It will start on the next bill. We get billed quarterly so the next bill will be in October. Gees, how are people gonna handle this with the price of everything else these days?

**amanjud** · 07-24-2008, 06:27 AM

Sorry to hear that!! That is quite a hike. The same thing just happened to my mom, her bill almost doubled also, they pay everyother month. It is crazy. We have a well so it's one less bill to worry about i guess.

**Darlene** · 07-24-2008, 07:58 AM

Wow, what a jump! Good question Jamie...how are people going to be able to cope? :girlsigh:

**nuisance26** · 07-24-2008, 08:13 AM

~How expensive is your water? Out of our quarterly water/sewer bill of $135, only $25 is for water. I hope you didn't mean your sewer bill too, eeeps!~

**cmdarlin** · 07-24-2008, 08:15 AM

I am honestly scared on what things will be like in the next year at this time. With people losing their jobs, etc.... how are they going to pay the bills?

Debbie in Missouri

**Megareader** · 07-24-2008, 08:59 AM

43%?? Egads, that is a huge jump! How are they justifying such a large increase in the charge?

**Mom23boys** · 07-24-2008, 09:01 AM

WOW! 43%!! WOW! That is a big price increase! WOW! I am still in shock! Did they say why they were increasing it so much?

**anna021** · 07-24-2008, 09:29 AM

If I may ask what you pay for water/ sewer now? I think my bill is very high, and believe me I conserve every drop I can. Right now its pouring outside and I have buckets and rain barrels every where and still I pay 139 sewer/ 74 water, yes, 2 separate bills, this is quarterly.

**DonnainME** · 07-24-2008, 09:32 AM

WOW 43% THAT IS huge. What is their reasoning behind needing to increase it so much?

**Katybird** · 07-24-2008, 10:09 AM

That is horrible. It makes wonder how they are able legally to gouge the consumer like that. I realize that the cost of living is increasing but 43% at one jump is beyond excessive.

**MysticEagle** · 07-24-2008, 10:19 AM

That is a big jump!! Like everyone else I'm wondering how they justify that big of an increase.

Day to day basic living costs are just getting outrageous imo. I think somebody somewhere is making a killing and it ain't us average joes.

**cheles2kids** · 07-24-2008, 10:19 AM

Good gosh, Jamie! I'm so sorry to hear that. 43%, I agree with everyone else, that's just insane!!!

I agree though, I don't know how people will eat or keep their utilities on. Right now as things are, alot of minimum wage earners are having to choose between groceries or gas to get them to work.

I am thankful everyday for my husband's job and I never, ever can get the thought out of the back of my mind that with so many lay-offs, how stable his job is, although he reassures me constantly that the Army Corps isn't doing any layoffs, but that thought still stays in the back of my mind.

My heart hurts for so many people right now.

**ConnieD** · 07-24-2008, 10:54 AM

Ewwww......... I sure feel for you!!! and can relate.

A couple weeks ago they announced that as of this month natural gas prices here (in Canada) were going up 40%!!!

I really don't know WHAT people are going to do this winter!! <sigh>

**jamie79** · 07-24-2008, 11:19 AM

Our water is quartely and it averages $200 for the quarter. This includes sewer and trash pickup.
They are justifing the huge increase because they had the sewer systems updated several yrs ago ( before I lived here) and now the loan for that has come due. Also because they say to supply us with water expenses have gone up for them and they need to pass it along