By Ed Simmons, Jr. cpreporter@lcs.net
Appearing in tiny-print legalese, a half-page "Notice to the Public" in The Free Lance-Star Sept. 2 has set off shock waves of anxiety in Lake Land'Or.
The notice states that Aqua Virginia, a water and sewage corporation, is seeking the State Corporation Commission's permission to significantly raise rates. Lake Land'Or residents say their water and sewer bills are already a hardship, severe for many, and an additional raise will push many into financial disaster.
"This is going to double our water and sewer bills in addition to other increases that are just now taking effect," said a five-year resident who asked to be unnamed. "We're paying more than people in Fairfax and the incomes here do not support it."
Aqua Virginia's corporate strategy, she said, is to acquire community waterworks and then aggressively charge increasingly exorbitant rates.
Aqua Virginia is part of Aqua America, which stretches from Maine to Texas providing water to 3 million people in 13 states "and continues to grow its operations through acquisitions," says AquaAmerica.com.
"What we are doing is trying to consolidate rates across the state," said Chief Operating Officer Greg Odell.
Proposed is upping water costs from a base rate of $12 to $20.70, and for sewer from $30 to $40.77. Lake Land'Or residents have until Oct. 16 to file as respondents for hearings Feb. 24, though Aqua may implement the raises Dec. 13 on an interim basis, subject to refund.
Linda Fifield, who has lived on Welsh Drive for seven year years with her husband Dale, said that a family of two is currently paying about $80 a month for water and sewer, and a family of four from $200 to $250.
"People in Lake Land'Or are getting laid off and having to go to the food pantry at St. Mary's, and this large corporation is going for large rate increases in this type of economy?" she said.
A neighbor of Fifield's who lives on Manchester Drive had her family's water and sewer bill triple over two years' time. In June 2007, her bill for 6,200 gallons was $55.28. In August 2009, 6,200 gallons cost $146.36.
"I think this is a horrible thing to do to this community. This is corporate greed," said Fifield.
Aqua Virginia claimed in its public notice it is losing money.
"We have people living here who will lose their homes due to these water bills," said another resident, Bonnie Leiss, who lives on Remington Drive.
Flyers were handed out Friday and a community meeting was scheduled for Wednesday evening, past press time for this issue.
Previously, residents tried to fight a recent rate increase but were "buried in paperwork and red tape," said the resident who wished to remain anonymous.
"I do not know why the SCC does not take into account what this does to the communities. This is not regulating."
Lake Land'Or needs to hire a utilities lawyer, she said.
She also hoped Caroline government would municipalize the waterworks and protect the residents.