Aqua Ohio Water is trying to increase the water rates of its customers in the Masury and Brookfield area by 81 percent, and on Thursday night a special hearing was put together by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio so the consumers could speak their minds.
Residents gathered at the Brookfield Township Administration building to get more information. Right now, their monthly bills are $19, and the increase would take that up to nearly $35. Many of the residents believe the increase is absolutely ridiculous, especially in these hard economic times.
"The increase is just out of this world," said Masury resident Cindy Harakal. "To actually double your water bill that you pay now, and I know for me I also have a separate sewer bill."
In August 2009, Aqua Ohio filed an application with PUCO to increase the rates for customers in its Masury and Brookfield division. Under Ohio law, a public utility is entitled to recover from its customers the expenses associated with operating the utility, plus a reasonable return on infrastructure investments.
But the Ohio Consumers' Council believes the increase should not negatively impact consumers in such a large manner.
"This is about an 80 percent proposed increase. We feel that it should be spread out," said Christopher Verich, from the Ohio Consumers' Council. "If there is an increase, it should be spread out over a much longer time so it wouldn't overwhelm the customer in these hard economic times."
The customers' feedback will play a big role in PUCO deciding whether or not to grant Aqua Ohio its proposed increase.
"Even the residents who aren't able to make it to this hearing can always file a letter with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio about this case," said Verich.
PUCO will now look at all of the evidence from Thursday night's hearing and should have a final decision in several months.
