Residents of Beaufort and Jasper Counties See Spike in Water Bills

News Summary

Residents of Beaufort and Jasper counties are experiencing significant increases in their water bills, causing confusion and concern. Despite no change in water usage, many locals report surges in monthly charges, following a 9% increase implemented by the Beaufort-Jasper Water and Sewer Authority (BJWSA). These rate changes, coupled with inflation, are driving costs higher, prompting residents to monitor their consumption closely and seek conservation methods.

Residents of Beaufort and Jasper Counties See Spike in Water Bills

Beaufort, SC – Residents of both Beaufort and Jasper counties are feeling the pinch as they report significantly elevated water bills that are causing confusion and concern. Many locals have taken to social media platforms to share their experiences, noting that even without increasing their water usage, they’ve seen their monthly charges surge.

Climbing Bills and Rising Rates

The Beaufort-Jasper Water and Sewer Authority (BJWSA) has confirmed that increases in the costs of residential water and sewer services per 1,000 gallons have led to these higher bills. These planned rate changes took effect on July 1, contributing to the jump in invoiced amounts. Among the reasons behind this trend, inflation is causing a noticeable rise in costs across various services and goods, adding weight to the wallets of local ratepayers.

Real-Life Examples of Bill Increases

One resident reported a staggering increase of $50 for their July water bill compared to June, despite using only an additional 3,000 gallons. Other customers shared stories of bill hikes ranging between $20 to $30 in July alone. As the BJWSA implemented a 9% increase in total monthly bills for average residential customers, concerns are escalating.

What’s Changing?

Several key rate changes were outlined by BJWSA, affecting almost all aspects of residential water bills:

Residential water charge per 1,000 gallons rose from $4.12 to $4.70.
Monthly basic facility charge for water jumped from $10.50 to $12.
Sewer charge per 1,000 gallons increased from $7.15 to $7.51.
Basic facility charge for sewer climbed from $16 to $17.50.

The sewer cap has also undergone changes, now rising from 7,000 gallons to 10,000 gallons per month. This has pushed costs from $66 to $92.60, and a significant 26% of BJWSA’s 69,000 customers hit the old cap within the last year.

Meter Reading Concerns

While some customers speculated that potential problems with meter readings could be behind the rising bills, BJWSA confirmed that such issues are infrequent. Nonetheless, residents are encouraged to keep watch on their usage. To aid in this, BJWSA offers the EyeOnWater app that enables customers to track their water usage in real-time and to check for possible leaks.

Water Conservation Requests

In light of rising water consumption, BJWSA is asking residents to limit irrigation to three days a week. The water authority has noted that high levels of simultaneous usage risk leading to concerns like water discoloration and even boil water advisories. However, officials assure that extreme interruptions in service are unlikely, even with elevated consumption.

Increased Demand and Future Solutions

Summer generally sees an uptick in water demand due to irrigation activities, putting extra stress on the system. To combat this, the BJWSA is currently working on a new treatment facility set to open in summer 2025, which is expected to produce up to 54 million gallons of water per day.

Moreover, the authority has identified over $590 million in necessary infrastructure projects to ensure future growth. However, rising capital costs, mainly due to inflation, are making it hard for BJWSA to expand its infrastructure quickly. As the southern Lowcountry area continues to grow, the demand for water is set to rise even further, potentially straining the authority’s capacity planning.

As residents navigate these new challenges, it’s essential to stay informed and proactive about water usage and conservation efforts. The coming years will undoubtedly shape the water management landscape in Beaufort and Jasper counties.