It got 17% last year, but now your water company, BWSL, is applying for another increase in water rates. A public utilities commission release states that it has received an application for an increase in water rates effective in April of this year.
Director of water and wastewater at the PUC Harry Bennett today told us that this time around BWS is applying for a 7% rate increase based on two unforeseen circumstances. First, the company claims that there are additional expenses because it has to specially treat water with high aluminum content from the Double Run facility. Second, that after 4,000 customers were reclassified in the low-income bracket, the company is losing between $50,000 and $60,000 in revenue a month.
The situation is somewhat complicated by the fact that presently has a case before the Supreme Court, asking it to review the last 17% increase and restore it to the full 32% that had been originally requested. In this regard, Bennett says the PUC itself is asking the court for direction whether to consider this latest request of 7% or simply wait until the end of the judicial review hearings.
