Meter Change Confounds Fort Mill Residents with High Water Bills
Fort Mill, SC – In January, residents in Fort Mill’s Baxter neighborhood were taken aback by skyrocketing water bills from the York County Sewer and Water company. Concerns over billing inaccuracies grew when they learned about the recent meter changes in their area.
Residents Stunned By Exorbitant Water Bills
Fort Mill households including the Sheehan family were left confounded by the staggering amount on their water bills. “Our usage is not any different. The family of four didn’t turn into a family of seven,” Benji Sheehan told local reporters. The Sheehan family, who have been living in the Baxter neighborhood for nearly a year, claim their water bill is usually around $30.
Other residents, like Brian Barger, experienced a similar shock when they received their water bill. A usual bill around 1/3rd of the received amount of $300 left him bewildered. He discovered that his house consumed a colossal 2,500 gallons of water in 24 hours, a reading he contests.
County’s Response to Complaints
The complaints were met with disheartenment as the residents claimed the only solution provided by the county was recommendation to consult a plumber. Ali Sheehan, expressed her disappointment, saying, “It seemed like the default response was, ‘You must have a leak. If you hire a plumber or irrigation specialist to do the repair or come back with your bill, and then we can talk about it.”
Despite their frustrations, families like the Sheehans persevered in their pursuit for resolution. After multiple attempts to understand the significant jump in their water bills, their persistence paid off. The County finally lowered the Sheehan’s alarming $600 bill to a more regular level at $167.
Official Statement From York County Water and Sewer
The York County Water and Sewer, responding to the residents’ concerns, reaffirmed, “This is not a Baxter-wide or County-wide issue regarding high usage billing. Any issue related to a customer’s water usage/high bill is better evaluated on an individual basis.”
It further added that the recent meter change was part of a County-wide initiative to upgrade all meters in the York County service areas. The company claims that the new meters have been providing more accurate water usage readings, which could potential result in higher bills for some customers.
A Call for Transparency
In the wake of this issue, residents are calling for heightened transparency amidst the meter change process and in handling billing disputes. They assert that clear, robust communication will prevent future occurrences of misunderstood bills, ensure fairness, and uphold trust between the citizens of Fort Mill and the County service providers.
As residents continue to grapple with these sudden changes, it is incumbent on York County to address their concerns and ensure that a fair resolution is reached for all.
