Have you ever witnessed someone do something that's harmful to the environment but felt like you couldn't do anything about it? When it comes to those who illegally discharge grease into the City of Raleigh's sewer system, now you can.

Members of Orange County Justice United and the Efland community will gather at the Hillsborough Commons Thursday to oppose increased sewer rates.

"If the changes by the County government enter into effect, by July 2012 the sewer rates for the Efland community will be the highest in North Carolina – a 300 percent increase – and double the rates of other systems," according to a press release from Justice United.

OrangeChat has not confirmed those statistics, but the four-year phase-in plan announced by Orange County last year did call for the price of 3,000 gallons to nearly quadruple from about $15 to $70.

"It is critical for us as leaders of the impacted community to be at the table with the county manager as he crafts a proposal that for sure will have an impact on our economic well being," said Joanne Mitchell, a leader from the Richmond Hills neighborhood.

Justice United will gather prior to the Board of County Commissioners' regular meeting at the Orange County Department of Social Services facility in the old Wal-Mart at 113 Mayo St. 

Read more at: 

http://www.newsobserver.com/2009/05/23/50956/efland-residents-fear-sewer-rate.html