We are with California Water Service Company - Chico. Our water has risen from flat rate around $35.00 monthly in 1998 to $80.50 per month and climbing. We live in a water plentiful area. Our water usage has not increased. Our income has not increased. In fact with this depressed economy we are barely eeking out a living and are below poverty level. Aren’t there other people in our area having problems with this high cost for a basic life necessity item? I can turn off the lights, eat raw veggies, put on more sweaters and huddle around a candle light, but we have to have water. Attending meetings and written protests do not seem to be helping. What are we going to do? Build more dams? Insist on breaking up this local monopoly? Cut water company costs by lowering salaries, pensions, etc.?

Last month my husband came home to find a note on the door stating that the water had been turned off. We were two days late (one months bill)

When he came in the house the water WAS NOT OFF. He immediately went and paid the bill. He said that people in line and people working there said "they did it to every one"

This months bill includes a $25 disconnection fee. and a $25 reconnection fee. How can they charge me (and God knows how many others ???) for disconnection and reconnection that never actually took place??

Yesterday i came home and found the water off. (bill not due till 5/23)
When I called to find out what was going on the "customer service " rep was very short and rude to me. As it turned it the water was off because off a water main break.

But it was just the icing on the cake. ho can i complain to?

I wonder how many other consumers are being robbed of $50 ?