ThisWeek CW 10/02/2014

http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/canalwinchester/news/2014/09/29/aqua-ohio-water-rates-going-up-in-blacklick-estates.html

Blacklick Estates residents in Madison Township will pay higher water bills following the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio’s approval of a rate increase request made late last year by Aqua Ohio.

Despite testimony against the rate increase, including a letter signed by all three Madison Township trustees, stating that, “any proposed increase would create a hardship on our residents,” the PUCO board approved a rate increase of 9.7 percent.

Aqua Ohio originally sought an 11.75-percent increase, which the company agreed to reduce to 9.7 percent, based on the PUCO’s preliminary review of the request.

According to Aqua Ohio representatives, the increase was necessary to cover the costs of system improvements.

At this time, Aqua Ohio is not increasing sewage rates for its 3,100 Blacklick Estates customers, only water usage rates.

According to township trustee Gary McDonald and Aqua Ohio representative Jeff LaRue, this means the actual increase reflected on customers’ bills equals 4.46 percent. Based on a consumption rate of 4,000 gallons a month, this equates to an additional charge of $4.41 a month.

“Those that soften water using salt should see a savings of greater than the rate increase and those that don’t soften their water will realize some savings as well because they will need to use less detergents, soaps and shampoo and their appliances should last longer because of decreased mineral residue,” LaRue told ThisWeek in an email following the PUCO decision.

McDonald said he was “disappointed” the increase had been approved.

During the review period, McDonald had said he believed the company should have paid for system improvements using funds generated by previous rate increases and, what he called a “hidden tax,” of around 20 percent, used to cover taxes the company pays to the township and the Groveport Madison school district.

He said such tariffs are legal, but “in essence, residents of Blacklick Estates are being assessed in paying additional taxes where the rest of the township residents are not.”

He continued to voice his opposition to Aqua Ohio’s rate increase after the PUCO ruling.

“As noted before, I do not support any rate increase,” McDonald said. “This increase places an additional burden on the families trying to make ends meet and having to choose their priorities in order to maintain their sustainability.”

In their letter to the PUCO, township trustees did acknowledge improvements beyond just water quality since Aqua Ohio took over the township’s water utilities, saying they appreciate the partnership between the company and township and hope to work together to keep future increases to a minimum.

“The new softening system, along with replacement of lines and better customer service, have been appreciated and have gone a long way to help build a positive relationship between Aqua Water, township residents and the board of trustees,” the letter said.