Safe and affordable water petition

Dear Mr. Furr,

We, the undersigned, are North Carolinians who support fair, affordable access to water and sewer service for all residents of our state. We are concerned that the 2011 Aqua North Carolina rate case could limit these rights by charging excessive rates for these services, and ask the Public Staff to listen to public concerns and not allow Aqua to raise its already-high rates for the second time in three years.

Aqua has been expanding in NC, and its rates are substantially higher than other companies receiving rate increases in 2009 and 2010. For some low or fixed-income residents, the prices are unaffordable (considered to be >2.5% of annual household income); others complain of continuing poor water quality and service. It is your duty to listen to these concerns as you set the company's rates. Furthermore, a study of Aqua's rates by the Environmental Finance Center at UNC showed that a volumetric sewer rate and an inclining-block rate structure for water could save many customers money and maintain Aqua's revenues.

Concerned for the long-term water supply in NC as well as our neighbors and friends who are Aqua customers, we ask you to adjust Aqua's rates to be comparable to other water rates in the state, and to follow the structures suggested by the EFC, which will also promote conservation of our precious water resources. Access to water and sanitation are basic human rights; don't allow privatized water companies like Aqua to profit at the expense of this basic necessity for all North Carolinians!

Carole Larivee,

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Montie Hamby,

Kevin S O\'Donnell,

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William & Donna Fisk,

Carl R. Lombardi,

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Lib Hutchby,

Cynthia Justice,

Wayne Hancock,

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Alan Moseley,

Deborah J Brien,

Olivia Masi,

Adam Wood,

Robert Kelly,

Annette Robbins,

Clayton Quinn,

John Galloway,

Peter Theye,

Christian Witt,