Georgia is one of only 5 states that do not regulate the rates charged by private water companies.
As a result, the rates charged by these companies can lead to annual rates of return on capital of 100% or more annually!
Water is a basic necessity of life, as are electric and natural gas services. All three are also natural monopolies – it would make no sense to run two sets of electric lines nor two sets of water lines in each neighborhood. So there is no common sense way to have competition in the provision of these services. This dilemma is resolved by having a state regulation system that allows companies to recover reasonable costs and earn a fair return on invested capital. It makes no sense that the State of Georgia regulates electric and natural gas companies, but not private water companies.
Using Piedmont Water Co., which serves Reynolds Lake Oconee and surrounding areas, as an example, here are the results of the non-regulation experiment that has been underway for many years in Georgia:
- Rates for 5000 gallons of water + sewer in PW area are 2 ½ times higher than the median price in the State (source: GA Water Dashboard)
- Prices that have increased 127% since 2012 vs inflation of only 43%
- Connect fees for new homes in the area of $20,000
- Connect fees for businesses that have been over $100,000
Rates in other areas served by private water companies are excessive as well. For example, the rates in Big Canoe, served by Utilities Inc of Georgia rival those of Piedmont Water in Reynolds.
To remedy this situation, the signees of this petition are requesting the Georgia State Legislature to pass legislation that requires the existing Regulatory apparatus of the State government to regulate the rates and the allowable return on investment of private water companies, just as they regulate electric and gas company rates and return on investment.
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
August 31, 2023
Reached 100 supporters
August 27, 2023
530 Comments
Water is nasty rates are very high and I have never had a sewer bill more than my potable except with Piedmont water they assume all your water goes to sewer no way to measure it water a flower or wash your vehicle in the drive way you are charged for sewer.
We here in Greene County are held hostage by this irresponsible, soulless company. By any measure, our water/sewer rates are among the highest in the state, if not the country. Any resource necessary for sustaining life should be regulated by the state, full stop!
My minimum water usage bill in Eatonton is about 4 times higher than I paid in Newton County GA where I lived From 1980 until 2011. The water rates here are reflect the monopoly that Piedmont water has in Putnam county where we live now.
Uncontrolled greed at work in our community by Piedmont Water with an essential commodity. Not only are they gouging residential customers, now they are financially jeopardizing complete small businesses and their families livelihoods in our community (SUDS).
The monthly bill is outrageously expensive. The water smells like sewage, you can’t drink it, and changes color from yellow to brown quite frequently. Not to mention the huge sewage spill that happened recently that Piedmont tried to cover up.
This company is a rip off Water management in Savannah but live in jesup ga . They Put in a new smart meter my usage hasn't changed my bills are higher after meter change more than electricity. I dislike them and water should be free it’s our earth. Water is abundant. Pretty soon will we be charge for the amount of oxygen we inhale?
Excessive water bills due to water usage is doubled for sewer usage.
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Georgia is one of only 5 states that do not regulate the rates charged by private water companies.
As a result, the rates charged by these companies can lead to annual rates of return on capital of 100% or more annually!
Water is a basic necessity of life, as are electric and natural gas services. All three are also natural monopolies – it would make no sense to run two sets of electric lines nor two sets of water lines in each neighborhood. So there is no common sense way to have competition in the provision of these services. This dilemma is resolved by having a state regulation system that allows companies to recover reasonable costs and earn a fair return on invested capital. It makes no sense that the State of Georgia regulates electric and natural gas companies, but not private water companies.
Using Piedmont Water Co., which serves Reynolds Lake Oconee and surrounding areas, as an example, here are the results of the non-regulation experiment that has been underway for many years in Georgia:
- Rates for 5000 gallons of water + sewer in PW area are 2 ½ times higher than the median price in the State (source: GA Water Dashboard)
- Prices that have increased 127% since 2012 vs inflation of only 43%
- Connect fees for new homes in the area of $20,000
- Connect fees for businesses that have been over $100,000
Rates in other areas served by private water companies are excessive as well. For example, the rates in Big Canoe, served by Utilities Inc of Georgia rival those of Piedmont Water in Reynolds.
To remedy this situation, the signees of this petition are requesting the Georgia State Legislature to pass legislation that requires the existing Regulatory apparatus of the State government to regulate the rates and the allowable return on investment of private water companies, just as they regulate electric and gas company rates and return on investment.
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
August 31, 2023
Reached 100 supporters
August 27, 2023
530 Comments
Piedmont water company in order to promote fair water prices needs to be regulated as a municipal water supplier does. As the latest public meeting went, liars figure and figures lie. Politicians do the right thing. Protect your constituents.
Water is nasty rates are very high and I have never had a sewer bill more than my potable except with Piedmont water they assume all your water goes to sewer no way to measure it water a flower or wash your vehicle in the drive way you are charged for sewer.
We here in Greene County are held hostage by this irresponsible, soulless company. By any measure, our water/sewer rates are among the highest in the state, if not the country. Any resource necessary for sustaining life should be regulated by the state, full stop!
My minimum water usage bill in Eatonton is about 4 times higher than I paid in Newton County GA where I lived From 1980 until 2011. The water rates here are reflect the monopoly that Piedmont water has in Putnam county where we live now.
Uncontrolled greed at work in our community by Piedmont Water with an essential commodity. Not only are they gouging residential customers, now they are financially jeopardizing complete small businesses and their families livelihoods in our community (SUDS).
The monthly bill is outrageously expensive. The water smells like sewage, you can’t drink it, and changes color from yellow to brown quite frequently. Not to mention the huge sewage spill that happened recently that Piedmont tried to cover up.
This company is a rip off Water management in Savannah but live in jesup ga . They Put in a new smart meter my usage hasn't changed my bills are higher after meter change more than electricity. I dislike them and water should be free it’s our earth. Water is abundant. Pretty soon will we be charge for the amount of oxygen we inhale?
Excessive water bills due to water usage is doubled for sewer usage.
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Piedmont water company in order to promote fair water prices needs to be regulated as a municipal water supplier does. As the latest public meeting went, liars figure and figures lie. Politicians do the right thing. Protect your constituents.