Aqua America is the worst - wtf is a "customer charge"

Submitted by AdamFeigs t3_ztyuyn in Pennsylvania

So not only does Aqua charge an arm and a leg for water, but today I really looked at my bill. Like really looked at it for the first time in a while - and I see a $23.07 "customer charge".

I mean, if you're going to fuck me at least PRETEND it's actually something meaningful. Ticketmaster is the scum of the earth and even they try to dupe you into thinking they're doing something for you with a "convenience fee". Wtf is a "customer charge"?? These assholes aren't even trying. Might as well call it a "go fuck yourself" fee.

83

Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

funkyted t1_j1gde45 wrote

Every utility has a customer charge, typically it’s fairly fixed so pay them even if you use nothing.

14

LowNo5584 t1_j1gdvgo wrote

All utilities are raising rates to offset their operational costs. The water company requires electricity and/or natural gas to operate. When their rates went up, the water companies raised their rates.

2

blinkdmb t1_j1gm721 wrote

I'm so glad the public in my area fought these pricks off.

40

bhans773 t1_j1gq3cm wrote

They charge what the PUC allows them to charge.

19

Limp-Adhesiveness453 t1_j1gvrx1 wrote

We have Pennsylvania American water, ours is 5.95 fee a month? Yours is insane

10

thebemusedmuse t1_j1he2sr wrote

I hate Aqua. I think the thing I hate the most is that you have a 1/10 chance of actually being able to log in to their website to pay your bill.

19

-TheFalcon- t1_j1hg606 wrote

Pennsylvania water has entered the chat

−1

worstatit t1_j1hhgmy wrote

Not familiar with this provider, but it's common to charge separately for "service" and actual amount used. You'll pay for infrastructure regardless of use, basically.

5

MeadowLedger t1_j1hudzj wrote

Typically a 'customer charge' is for the infrastructure it takes to deliver a product. It generally includes the cost of metering, stuff used in the delivery of the water to the home, technology and administration.

2

Palmer-Eldritch-2021 t1_j1ihua8 wrote

Aqua uses their current customers to subsidize purchasing additional municipal customers.

6

RthrfordTheBrave t1_j1ik92y wrote

I just saw that on my bill that arrived yesterday and was wondering the same damn thing. Ridiculous

2

Sprussel_Brouts t1_j1iz017 wrote

It's an arbitrary fee to obscure the actual total cost to the consumer and allow for internal distribution of funds per the company's financial policies (potentially). But the real question is why you think there is some kind of relationship between service and cost. This America. Screw you, peasant, you'll pay what we tell you to pay. What are you going to do, dig a well?

2

flaaaacid t1_j1jwysj wrote

Be glad you're not in my development. $55.93 sewer customer charge + $20.51 water customer charge. So $76.44 every month BEFORE I use a single drop of water. Then of course there's a per gallon fee on the water and the sewer, again.

Water utilities should not be privately owned or for-profit. Period.

3