Unanticipated Increase in Water Bills Raises Concerns over New Meter Installations

In Fort Mill, South Carolina, some residents are left scratching their heads over a startling increase in their water bills. Ali and Benji Sheehan were among those dismayed to find their typically $30 water bill leap to previously unseen amounts. “The amount was staggering to me,” said Ali. “Our usage is not any different. We didn’t suddenly turn into a family of seven.”

Unexplained High Usage

The Sheehans, residing in the Baxter neighborhood of Fort Mill for nearly a year, found themselves caught off guard when their new water bill came in. The county switched their meter, along with many others in the Baxter neighborhood. Shortly after, they received an alarmingly high water bill.

Another resident, Brian Barger, disclosed his confusion with a $300 water bill for the past month–typically one third of the amount. He said a usage report he demanded from the county revealed his house used a staggering 2,500 gallons of water over a 24-hour period. However, data were missing for several other days in the month. “They won’t address it. They’ll say you need to get a plumber,” Barger revealed, echoing the response the Sheehans got for their queries.

Confusion over Billing and Meter Errors

In their struggle to get answers about the sudden surge in their water bill, the Sheehans reported that the county eventually reduced the bill from $600 to $167. However, this did nothing to explain the original high figure or provide assurance that it won’t happen again in the future.

“It seemed like the default response was. You must have a leak. If you hire a plumber or an irrigation specialist to fix it, then we can discuss your bill,” Ali said. This sort of unhelpful shield has left residents feeling frustrated and helpless.

York County’s Statement

York County Water and Sewer responded to local queries with a statement denying a widespread issue with high usage billing. “This is not a Baxter-wide or Countywide issue regarding high usage billing. Any issue linked to a high bill should be evaluated individually. Customers can contact us directly to promptly examine and address their concerns,” they advised.

New Meters May Be to Blame?

York County, currently replacing all meters in its service areas, suggested a potential cause, noting that “these new meters are yielding more accurate water usage readings.” This may be the cause for higher bills for some customers. However, this speculative reasoning failed to convince frustrated residents who believe their water usage patterns have not changed significantly.

As residents across Fort Mill continue to grapple with the sudden increase in their water bills, it is evident there is no one-size-fits-all solution to the issue. The proposed solutions by the county to hire plumbing or irrigation experts are causing more confusion and frustration among residents.

Seeking a Solution

While the wavering water bills are a major cause of concern for Fort Mill residents, there is clear need for more transparent communication from the county. Until an acceptable solution to this high water bill mystery is found, it’s safe to say the waters will continue to be troubled for many residents.