Residents frustrated with CF Public Utility Authority

It’s only been operational for two months, but already, many local residents are frustrated with the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority.

In the past few days, our newsroom has fielded numerous calls and emails from people who say they haven’t gotten a water bill since May. Now they’re concerned about being able to pay when they finally do get billed.

Particularly since the new billing system makes rates go up with the number of gallons used, so a delayed bill means the water used has more time to add up.

Wilmington resident Jim Giuffe said, “I mean if you didn’t get your electric bill for four months and then you got it and it was doubled per month, you would lose your mind.”

A spokesperson for the utility authority says these billing problems are due to computer glitches.

She added that the next billing cycle will be short, and yield a smaller bill that should help offset this extended billing period.

The authority hopes to get everyone’s bills out in September.