A surge in city water charges has Conway, South Carolina, residents angry and puzzled, with some saying their monthly bills are now two or three times higher even though they have not changed how much water they use.
Because many households say they are already trying to conserve, the sudden increase is fueling a basic complaint: an essential service is costing far more without a clear reason.
Here's what to know
Several Conway residents told WMBF about spiking water rates.
Among them, James McNair said what had been about a $25 bill climbed to around $45, while another resident, Jim Bennett, told the outlet his usual roughly $50 charge came in at $143.
Bennett described the surprise in blunt terms: "I received my bill last week in the mail. I was shocked to see it.
Another resident, Jane Cologna, noted that posts on the Conway Facebook page from multiple residents suggested the problem was not isolated.
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According to a city statement cited by WMBF, officials do not believe one universal explanation accounts for every increase; different factors, or a mix of them, may be at play.
Conway City Council member William Goldfinch said the city purchases water from the Grand Strand Sewer and Water Authority, meaning wholesale price increases there could show up on residents' bills.
More background
Bennett told WMBF, "We're experiencing a water shortage, so I haven't been watering my lawn; I'm not taking anymore showers. I just don't know how I can more than double the usage of my water. But in any event, the bill still needs to be paid; I need my water."
The immediate advice from the city, WMBF reported, is for residents who see unusual charges to contact officials so their accounts, usage, and billing windows can be checked individually.
Those reviews could show whether the jump stemmed from higher rates, an issue with the billing cycle, or unusually large usage readings.
Conway resident Susan Canterbury told WMBF that what she wants most is a clear answer and lower charges: "I'd like a reasonable explanation, you know, from them and I want my water bill to go back down. I don't even water my lawn. I don't have a pool; I don't have a jacuzzi."
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