Raleigh neighbors who tap into the city’s utility services may have noticed higher water bills this month, despite the same usage.
It relates to the vendor swiftly stopping its services, which the city depends on to mail its paper bills.
Other WRAL Top Stories
Kathy Caldwell is one of the dozens of customers who saw their bills practically double, going from her typical $90 bill to $204.
“People need to budget, especially in times like these now when everything costs so much more,” Caldwell said. “Apparently, that includes water these days.”
According to the city, the bills are actually reflecting two months of water use.
“We had a billing and mailing vendor cease operation without any warning to us back in May, so we were unable to send bills for about seven weeks,” said Ed Buchan, the assistant director of Raleigh Water.
The vendor, Professional Mail Services, Inc., provided mailing services for Raleigh water and other utility services around the Triangle, including Durham.
The service abruptly stopped its operations at the start of the summer, leaving its partners scrambling to find a new vendor.
In May, the North Carolina Department of Revenue also warned of delays to its refund checks stemming from the same issue.
As a result of the impact it has on nearly half of Raleigh water customers who get paper bills, the city will be suspending disconnection for nonpayment and late fees for the next several weeks. They’re also offering payment plans for anyone in need of extra assistance.
This comes as some Raleigh water customers had already prepared to see an increase in utility bills by an average of 3.5% starting July 1.
Raleigh said the adjustments are needed for “maintaining reliable water and sewer services and support the City Council's commitment to replacing aging infrastructure, particularly critical pipes whose failure could have significant social, environmental, and economic consequences.”
The city said the region’s growth has also shown the need for better infrastructure that can manage an increased population.
“Despite rising costs across the utility industry, Raleigh Water ratepayers have experienced some of the lowest and consistent increases in the state,” the city said.