Aqua America Overcharging Even More From It's Candlewick Customers!!!

AQUA: House Bill 1379   This is what they didn't bother to tell us!

House Bill 1379 if passed, will allow Aqua Illinois and Illinois American Water to fast-track takeovers of municipal water systems and automatically charge their current customers, including all of Candlewick Lake, even higher rates to fund those victories! This bill would allow those companies to raise their existing customers’ rates by 2.5% for one acquisition and 5% for multiple acquisitions. In other words, this bill will allow Aqua America to overcharge all of us even more than they do already!!!

HB1379 passed the General Assembly and could be signed by Governor Quinn any day.  

Go to CUB’s Action Network to ask Governor Quinn to veto HB1379 today! CUB's Website: www.citizensutilityboard.org  Click the Headline, dated June 17, 2013, in the middle of the page: 1,700 Messages Urge Veto Of Bad Water Bill. Then follow the directions to contact the Governor.

If you want to voice your opinion about the proposed increase to Aqua America Illinois, contact them directly:

Terry J. Rakocy, President
Aqua Illinois, Inc.
1000 S. Schuyler Ave.
Kankakee, IL 60901 

815-935-6535
tjrakocy@aquaamerica.com

Craig Blanchette, Vice President
Regional Manager
Aqua Illinois, Inc.
1000 S. Schuyler Ave.
Kankakee, IL 60901 
clblanchette@aquaamerica.com

Don't let them get away with overcharging us even more!!! Please join my fight against this monopoly today!!!

Aqua America is unfair to it's Boone County customers in Candlewick Lake.

Candlewick Lake was just what we were looking for. Less noise, less traffic, less crime, a seemingly strong sense of community and beautiful scenery too. I am also an avid fisherman and have been on the lake many times already since the move. We were under the impression that the only drawback to moving to Candlewick lake would be the commute to work. It would cost more in gasoline, but it was an acceptable compromise.

Shortly after we moved in we found that there would be another drawback. We moved to Candlewick Lake in April 2012. While closing on our home we paid all of the unpaid bills including those to Aqua America. At that time we felt confident in knowing that we were on the right track to managing our monthly bills. To say that we were naive about the coming wave of bills from Aqua America is an understatement for sure. Shortly after moving to Candlewick Lake we received a new bill from Aqua America. This bill totaled $350.10 for billing period 4/4/12 – 6/21/12. Then came another bill totaling $48.96 for billing period 5/16/12 – 6/19/12. The next month we received yet another bill for billing period 6/19/12-7/20/12, another whopping $250!

I contacted Aqua America about all of these bills and asked why our family of three is being charged so much to have basic water and sewer services? I was told that there were several reasons for this. The first was that the bills had been "recalculated to more accurately reflect the current readings". The second answer I received was "because we use so much water". Lastly, I was told that "it costs more because the water and sewage has to be moved such a great distance". Talking with Aqua customer representatives is completely worthless. Let's face it, they are paid by Aqua America. They obviously do not care in the least how much anyone pays for water and sewer.

Since the last discussion with Aqua America, we have closely monitored all of our water consumption and still do. We have checked and there are no leaks inside or outside of the house. None of us use enormous amounts of water for any reason whatsoever. There are no leaks inside or outside of the house. Still, for our family of three, to have basic water and sewer services, are paying an average of $200 per month! That's ridiculous!

We moved here from Loves Park. My wife had lived in the city her entire life. She never paid more than $50 per month for water and sewer for two people. When we lived there together, there were four of us. Even with four of us living together we never once had a bill for more than $60 per month for water and sewer. That makes it about $140 difference! $140 more per month, for three people to have the basic necessities of water and sewer...really???

Aqua America is overcharging Candlewick Lake residents and something needs to be done about it.