Some Park City residents want their water board to rescind recent rate increases and turn the system over to Daphne Utilities.

A petition drive is under way and John Phelan, the leader of a committee collecting the signatures, said Tuesday that more than 200 customers have already signed. The Park City Water Authority only has about 400 customers.

"We really don’t have anything here but a few rotten pipes in the ground," said Phelan, who served on the water authority’s board of directors for 12 years.

In mid-June, the board voted 2-1 to increase rates substantially to replenish the authority’s reserves, pay off an old $40,000 loan and maintain the aging system properly. Supporters of the rate increase said it was worth paying higher water bills to maintain independence for the system.

According to projections made at the time, the average bill was expected to rise from $28.31 to $42.42, well above rates charged by Daphne Utilities, Belforest Water and the Mobile Area Water and Sewer Service, among others.

One of the alternatives was asking Daphne Utilities to take over water service to the small community that is part of Daphne. Board members Thomas J. Lee Sr. and Willie McCovery voted for the rate increase while board chairman Kenneth Day voted against it.

Day said Tuesday he is working with the committee but is not taking a leading role. He has favored a takeover by Daphne Utilities because he said it would result in lower rates and better service.

"There are a lot of people working hard, and a lot of people are frustrated over this issue," Day said. "I think they’ve got a point."

Lee said he would not comment until he had seen the petition. McCovery could not be reached for comment.

A petition-signing event is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at Arbors by the Bay Apartments, located at 27642 U.S. 98 in Daphne.

The committee plans to present the signed petition to the water authority board at its next regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 14 at the utility’s office on Park Drive.