Aug. 5--The complicated and anger-inducing changes within the Graniteville and Vaucluse water system have raised many question over the last few days.

On Friday, residents received water bills that had increased up to 700 percent.

During the weekend, the rage of citizens increased and their elected officials tried to find a solution to take the water system from Avondale Mills.

A potential buyer for the system, Valley Public Service Authority (VPS), met recently but still has not come to a decision. Now, there are more questions than answers.

-- Is there any hope of a lower rate for Graniteville water and sewer systems?

Maybe.

The South Carolina Public Service Commission has agreed to hear an appeal on the "reasonableness" of the water rates for Graniteville. At the meeting today in Columbia, Avondale's rate have been put on the agenda.

The appeal came via Sen. Shane Massey and Reps. Tom Young and Roland Smith who sent two letters to the PSC on this issues, Massey and Young said.

Monday they sent a letter asking for a 30-day notice period to be observed by Avondale before the increased rate takes effect.

The second letter, sent Tuesday, asks the PSC to re-examine the increase.

"We've asked them to re-evaluate the reasonableness of the rate," Massey said Tuesday. We've asked to look and see if they are reasonable in light of the socioeconomic situation of Graniteville."

-- What happens if you can't pay your bill?

Several residents said Monday that they will refuse to pay their bills.

"If people fail to pay their bills, the (PSC) does allow for their service to be discontinued," said Stephen Felker Jr. of Avondale Mills. "They have a certain amount of time to pay. I don't know if people will refuse to pay their bills. We have a fiduciary duty to make sure the businesses ... collects bills that we issue."

Felker said that they would take legal remedies to not continue outlaying a service that is not paid for.

-- What happens if the system is sold?

Even if VPS decides to take over the system today, they will still have a set period for due diligence. This is a feeling out period in which they assess the system and its needs. This will mean Graniteville residents will have to deal with, at minimum, several months paying for water in the current rate system.

-- Why was the rate increased approved?

South Carolina law allows for a private authority to raise rates so that they can, at least, break even.

According to Felker, Avondale was losing great amounts of money supporting the system.