JEFFERSON —
In the aftermath of yet another round of rate increases for bulk and retail water, commissioners want to meet with Aqua Ohio officials to learn about the company’s plans for future hikes and improvements.
The board called for the meeting after learning that the bulk water it sells to customers of the county system will cost an additional $57,000 as a result of recent increases granted by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.
“We have to have an overall plan,” said Board President Peggy Carlo in a work session with department of environmental services personnel on Tuesday. “Let’s meet with them and see what their plans are.”
Aqua purchased the Ohio American Water Company’s Ashtabula County assets and has been pouring hundreds of thousands of dollars into improvements throughout the system, said Larry Meaney, director of the county’s department of environmental services. He estimates that the new owners will spend $450,000 on new and replacement valves.
The valves can be used to isolate and minimize problems in the system, such as a water line break, which can disrupt service and contaminate water. But those improvements will come at a cost to rate-payers, warned Meaney.
“We’re bracing for 4.5 percent next year,” Meaney said.
The utility won’t have to go before the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio to get the increase — it has already been granted 4.5 percent in each of five years in another tariff case.
“It’s a never-ending story from my perspective,” Meaney said.
The PUCO on June 13 authorized Aqua Ohio to increase the water rates in the former Ohio American Water service territory. Customers in Ashtabula County can expect to pay an average of $4.44 more for their water service, although the monthly customer charge will be reduced by 96 cents.
The new rates are projected to raise Aqua Ohio’s revenues by 10.85 percent.
Meaney told commissioners that the county previously was hit with a 3 percent fixed charge for system improvements last year. Commissioners spared consumers that pain and had the system absorb the increase, $17,000 annually.
The board wants more input from Aqua before deciding whether or not to pass on the latest hike. Because other political subdivisions are affected by the increases, the board plans to open the meeting to Ashtabula, Geneva, Roaming Shores, Rock Creek and others that want to attend. A date has not been set.
Local News
Water rates go up, commissioners want meeting
Former OAWC customers take $4.44 monthly hit
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