Last October, Gainesville Regional Utilities raised its rates on most of its services including electric, gas and wastewater. While GRU's rates are almost the highest in the state, this increase approved by the Gainesville City Commission has one aspect that is outright stealing money from GRU customers.

I know, all GRU customers think GRU is stealing from them, but in one way they actually are. It is the wastewater billing fee that is charged for wastewater that leaves your home, also called the sewer system.

There is no separate meter that measures the wastewater that leaves your house. Wastewater production for a house was based solely on the amount of water used by the household that then enters the wastewater system.

Let's start by determining how the water bill and wastewater bill are connected. Prior to October, your winter wastewater usage was determined by how much water you used for the months of January and February.

People don't normally water their yards, have gardens or fill their pool during that time. So, the actual amount of water used during this period is for household use only. This is water used for bathing, washing dishes and clothes, sinks and toilets.

The average water usage for those two months was used to determine your winter max household water usage and, thus, the amount you would be charged for wastewater. Water used for the yard, garden and pool does not go through the waste treatment system and would not be charged wastewater fees.

For example, your winter max household water usage might be 5,000 gallons. And you would pay wastewater fees up to that usage. However, during the spring and summer months might see 12,000 or more gallons of water used for yard and garden irrigation, etc. You would pay for the water used, but not pay wastewater fees for that extra water usage.

Starting in October, that changed. Every household was given a 12,000-gallon winter max. That means for every gallon of water a homeowner uses up to 12,000 gallons would not only be charged the water fee, but also charged wastewater fees.

Most months that is not an issue, because all of the water used is for household use. But if you water your yard or garden, you will add thousands of gallons to your water usage.

None of that water will go through the waste treatment system. What isn't used by the plants goes into the aquifer. But you would still be charged a wastewater fee ($6.65 per 1,000 gallons) for all of that water. That is theft.

You fill up a three-by-eight-foot kid's pool and you are going to pay wastewater fee for 1,000 gallons of water that never enters the waste treatment system. That is theft.

Pressure-wash your house or wash your car with water that never goes through the wastewater system and you will still be charged a wastewater fee. That is theft.

The total theft by GRU could be up to $60 per month during the spring, summer and fall months. That is money GRU is stealing from you.

Here are two possible solutions. One solution would be to go back to the way it was and establish a winter max water usage. Charge wastewater fees only on the lower of actual water usage or the winter max.

The other solution would be to install, at GRU's expense, a sewage meter on the drain from each household. The latter is the most accurate, but also the most expensive.

All of GRU customers are potential victims of this theft. GRU is charging you for services they do not and cannot deliver. They are charging you wastewater fees for water that never gets to the water treatment system. I ask the State's Attorney Office and this newspaper to investigate this abuse of trust and authority within GRU and the City Commission

GRU customers should not let this thievery continue. Call GRU and City Hall to complain. Kick those who voted in favor of it out of office.

Kurt Baumgartner is a 28-year Gainesville resident and GRU customer.

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