MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Months ago, WCNC Charlotte first shared a story about water bills some Mooresville residents said were alarmingly high. Since August 2022, WCNC reporter Austin Walker continued to dig into the rate hike woes shared by neighbors who are served by Carolina Water Service.
This week, residents said CWS leaders finally met with them in public.
Inside the Mecklenburg County Courthouse Wednesday night, speaker after speaker took the mic and explained to leaders they believe things aren’t adding up.
“We are paying Perrier prices and getting pond water,” said Jim Godwin, president of The Farms Property Owners Association. “Since Carolina Water Service took over in late 2017, it’s increased over 52%, and the proposal is for it to go up another 29% next year and the year after.”
The North Carolina state average for water rates comes in at $8.22 per 1,000 gallons. Right now, Mooresville residents served by CWS are paying $11.71. If the proposed rate hike is approved, that will jump to $15.42.
For months, residents like Godwin said there’s been no communication or dialogue between the company and customers up until Wednesday's meeting.
"I met with Donald Denton, the president of Carolina Water after, and he offered to come out and meet with us," Godwin said.
Some members of the community say that's good progress for them. But others say there's more to be done.
WCNC Charlotte asked CWS to confirm that would be happening. While the company did not confirm if there were plans to meet with residents like Godwin, a statement from Denton said "We welcome opportunities to talk to customers."
Contact Austin Walker at awalker@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.