8-20-2012
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/08...tomers-furious-with-skyrocketing-water-bills/
Aqua Illinois Customers Furious With Skyrocketing Water Bills
They say theyre drowning in their water bills; scores of angry customers of Aqua Illinois say they have to think twice now about everyday tasks like taking a shower, washing the dishes, or even using the bathroom.
CBS 2s Dorothy Tucker reports those homeowners in suburban communities like Will, Kankakee, and Lake County are determined to fight back.
Kevin Burns tomato garden is now filled with weeds. He let it die when he got a water and sewer bill for $614, three times what it cost him last year for the same amount of water.
Samantha Oliver is also furious every time she uses water. Her bill jumped from $200 a month last year to nearly $700 this year.
It angers me that they could feel justified in doing this to people, she said.
Both Oliver and Burns and thousands of other homeowners in Will, Kankakee and Lake counties are customers of Aqua Illinois
The Illinois Commerce Commission recently approved a rate hike for Aqua. In a telephone conversation, a spokesperson explained why.
They improved infrastructure, the spokesperson said.
Oliver said, I can understand a rate hike maybe 5 percent to 10 percent this is what you expect when you hear a rate increase, not a 300 percent increase.
The Illinois Attorney Generals office, which has heard some complaints, is also looking into what steps it can take to help customers.
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/08...tomers-furious-with-skyrocketing-water-bills/
Aqua Illinois Customers Furious With Skyrocketing Water Bills
They say theyre drowning in their water bills; scores of angry customers of Aqua Illinois say they have to think twice now about everyday tasks like taking a shower, washing the dishes, or even using the bathroom.
CBS 2s Dorothy Tucker reports those homeowners in suburban communities like Will, Kankakee, and Lake County are determined to fight back.
Kevin Burns tomato garden is now filled with weeds. He let it die when he got a water and sewer bill for $614, three times what it cost him last year for the same amount of water.
Samantha Oliver is also furious every time she uses water. Her bill jumped from $200 a month last year to nearly $700 this year.
It angers me that they could feel justified in doing this to people, she said.
Both Oliver and Burns and thousands of other homeowners in Will, Kankakee and Lake counties are customers of Aqua Illinois
The Illinois Commerce Commission recently approved a rate hike for Aqua. In a telephone conversation, a spokesperson explained why.
They improved infrastructure, the spokesperson said.
Oliver said, I can understand a rate hike maybe 5 percent to 10 percent this is what you expect when you hear a rate increase, not a 300 percent increase.
The Illinois Attorney Generals office, which has heard some complaints, is also looking into what steps it can take to help customers.