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dherrmann t1_ixz5e0h wrote

Ps. Aqua is not doing anything illegal. It’s Harrisburg that set the rules that Aqua is taking advantage of. Some of the blame also need to go to local townships, boroughs, and cities

This is what I just sent to my state senator and rep:

Dear Rep Howard,

I live in West Pikeland Twp, and we've experienced the impact of 2016 Act 12 first-hand. My water/sewer bill was over $200 and we use very little water (it's just my wife and me).

We need to do something about 2016 Act 12 - repeal it or put tighter controls over water utility companies, especially Aqua America. Aqua seems to have taken the lead in taking unintentended advantage of Act 12 and have been using it to use their monopoly powers to negatively impact the citizens of Pennsylvania.

Please help us! We can't afford this travesty!

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discogeek t1_ixzctch wrote

You should send a similar letter to the Attorney General and PUC. They both have the ability to help with price gouging when it comes to utilities too.

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BureaucraticHotboi t1_iy11bcu wrote

It’s okay to blame Aqua. They and other utilities almost definitely lobbied for the law to be passed that now allows them to drain profits from formerly public systems. It may not be illegal, but it’s immoral. The politicians and the corporations are in bed and equally culpable. Good on you for bringing attention to this!

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i_wear_a_bison_hat t1_iy3fw8j wrote

What you want to take the power away from business and give it to the people/government/communities? What a communist! Jk, but this is a republican talking point xD sad truth. Not a Democrat either.

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Thecrawsome t1_iy14xwm wrote

I'm sure there's history behind somebody at aqua, their lobbyists, etc who worked with Harrisburg to get this sweet deal. It's how it always happens

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fuck_fate_love_hate t1_iy1lbah wrote

How many gallons are you being billed for?

My husband and I have aqua too and our sewer is $65/quarter and our water bill is like $30-60 a month.

That seems crazy high and you may want to have your bill re-visited or have a plumber check your home for leaks.

I agree though - aqua is a nightmare. My friends utilities are like $60/quarter total for water and sewer because it’s just through the township. I hate the privatization of utilities.

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DestroyerOfIphone t1_iy1n9l6 wrote

Lol my AQA bill was 163.85 with a 2.25 convince feenthis month

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fuck_fate_love_hate t1_iy1pmjl wrote

Yeah but it depends on how many gallons you’re using and how much they charge per gallon. My water bill has never been that high so just trying to understand if it’s a regional pricing difference or usage or what

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DestroyerOfIphone t1_iy1t2dz wrote

I actually don't even know. AQA sends me a text and you reply yes aqa and it pays it. I'm need to figure out what my login is

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dherrmann t1_iy5hoqm wrote

Not really. I could use zero water and still nave a bill over $120 ish.

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fuck_fate_love_hate t1_iy5morw wrote

From AQUA?

I’d call and dispute that. We also have them, my bill last month was $20.30. The highest it’s ever been was around $85. We have a dishwasher, oversized bathtub, and a washing machine.

Is it that your washing machine is an old model? Or are your toilets running constantly? After we replaced our toilet flapper things our bill went down like $30 because they weren’t running constantly.

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flaaaacid t1_iy8z3nf wrote

I think it really depends on where you live and what the water system was that Aqua bought. I have Aqua at my place in the mountains and it was previously a HOA-owned system that only serves that particular development. Has its own well and treatment plant. I imagine our rates are higher because of the scale of the system being rather small. For a house I might be at 2 weeks a month at most our bills are routinely $100+. It would be $65 just for the "customer charge" on the water and sewer even if I didn't use a drop.

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AlVic40117560_ t1_iy1vpsc wrote

Go to their office and set up a meeting. It’ll be much more effective.

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