GRANITEVILLE, S.C. - With some bills more than $500, people in Graniteville say their water company is leaving them tapped out and they just can't afford it.

"Take a good look at yourself in the mirror before you go to sleep tonight," that was the message people in Graniteville had for the South Carolina Public Service Commission.

Around a hundred upset customers came to tell the South Carolina Public Service Commission how the 700 percent rate increase in water costs enforced by Avondale Mills has affected them, Wednesday.

As resident of Graniteville area, Aiken County Sheriff Michael Hunt was the first to explain to the commission the unbelief people are feeling over their bills.

"My bill in May was $59.17. My bill in June was $68.29. And my bill in July was $714.65," said Sheriff Hunt. "Some of these people will not be able to pay. There's just no way."

Many people in Graniteville are retired and on fixed incomes. The rate increase has hit them the hardest.

Many said they gave up watering their lawns, maintaining their pools, even showering just to save money.

Other problems such as low water pressure and faulty water meters were common complaining points of many in the crowd.

Senator Shane Massey, (R) South Carolina, worried that if Avondale Mills was given funds to remedy the problems, they would pocket it for themselves instead.

"We heard some comments,“ said Sen. Massey. “A lady said she can’t wash her dishes and turn her sink on at the same time. Another gentleman said he can’t flush his toilet and pour some water out in the sink; those are real problems and if you're going to grant an increase, you gotta make sure Avondale is going to fix their system."

"I don't have too much good to say about Avondale Mills,” said Graniteville customer, Wayne Johnson. “We've been done an injustice by them not giving us a notice of the increase."

The Public Service Commission took in an earful from dozens of angry residents, but until they make a ruling, the people of Graniteville will continue to send their money down the drain.

The city of Graniteville is currently working on switching to Valley Public Services, another water provider.

The Public Service Commission will be holding another hearing on the water issue next Tuesday in Columbia.

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