Placerville residents irate over skyrocketing utility bills

[The Straight Story]

Placerville residents irate over skyrocketing utility bills


PLACERVILLE, CA - Frank Woodring says it costs him nearly $5 per day just to flush the toilet -- and that's only a slight exaggeration.

The combined sewer and water bills for some Placerville residents have doubled and even tripled, according to a grassroots organization formed to protest the dramatic rate hike.

"We need to do something about it. It's going to kill our town," said Judy Miller, co-founder of the group calling itself "Circle the Drain."

Although some of the rate hike can be attributed to improvements in the water delivery system, the major portion is the result of a new $45 million wastewater treatment plant that returns treated water into Hangtown Creek, which eventually flows into the American River.

The entire cost of repaying a state loan for the new plant falls upon Placerville's 3,300 water and sewer customers. The $2.9 million annual debt service works out to an average of $73 per household and business each month.

Woodring, 73, was stunned when he and his wife Rosemary got their new water and sewer bill this week. The $223 bill covered 49 days of service, which works out to $4.56 per day. "I don't spend that much for milk or bread or hamburger or anything else," Woodring complained. "In my home it's two old people and a dog. And the dog doesn't flush."

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