Carolina Water Service is in hot water for its business practices.
LEXINGTON -- Lexington resident Ryan Jones has watched his water and his money go right down the drain.
“For me to have to shell out $200 for a water bill because they have a problem,” says Carolina Water customer Ryan Jones, “I don’t feel is very fair at all.”
Inaccurate bills, termination of service, and failure to refund finances charges are just some of the complaints against Carolina Water Service.
“We need a Public Service Commission order because we haven’t been able to resolve it among ourselves,” said Executive Director Dukes Scott of the S.C. Office of Regulatory Staff.
According to Scott, a request has been made to the public service commission to order the utility to fix its on-going issues; which started about two years ago when the company switched to a new billing system.
“I feel like I’m being robbed,” said Carolina Water customer Raymond Kelly.
Vice president Don Sudduth of Carolina Water service, a subsidiary of Utilities Inc. told WACH FOX Monday: “We are reevaluating our billing process, and are committed to resolving the issues noted by the Office of Regulatory Staff.”
Officials point our that they have already begun to credit customers who were over-charged -- a small relief for residents like Ryan Jones, who are drowning in red ink over their bills.
The S.C Office of Regulatory Staff asks Carolina Water Service customers who have experienced these or similar issues to contact the ORS Consumer Services Department toll-free at 1-800-922-1531.