Huber Ridge Area

TOGETHER WE HAD MADE A DIFFERENCE

TOGETHER WE HAD MADE A DIFFERENCE

            Together we opposed Ohio American Water Company’s water rate increases and made a difference, reducing several increases by half and one down to a third of the application request.

            Again this year, OAWC is at it; they applied for an increase to raise our water and sewer rates on August 1, 2011.  The application to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio is for approximately 26 percent water and 11.5 percent sewer rate increases.

            In the past, we united in a letter writing campaign, and that resulted in PUCO hearings in Blendon Township. Many residents wrote letters and attended the hearings resulting in
reducing the percentage of increase OAWC asked for by as much as two-thirds.

            This year, I again asked you to write letters and let your/our voices be heard. I know it sounds like a broken record—tiresome to have to write repeatedly to stand up for the basic
necessity of life:  water.  OAWC is counting on that—the customers becoming tired of standing up to them.

            This application to increase rates since August 1, 2011, has 46 entries.  Of the
46 entries, there are 13 letters of opposition to the rate increase submitted
by OAWC customers; none are from Blendon Township residents.

            In the previous increase, the PUCO stated that they found increases in OAWC’s administrative and general expenses far outstripped the rate of inflation and directed OAWC to
keep future increases in line with inflation. The PUCO also found OAWC’s business model to be unacceptable and directed that that be changed.

            By writing letters of opposition, we can hold the PUCO accountable for their statements and assure that OAWC does not receive the asked-for increase they feel they deserve.

            Just tell your story of the water bills and the effect they have on your family, your home!  Please write to

Public Utilities Commission of Ohio

Re:  11-4161-WS-AIR

180 East Broad Street, 13^th Floor

Columbus, OH  43215-3793

Honorable John Kasich

Governor’s Office

Riffe Center

77 South High Street, 30^th Floor

Columbus, OH  43215-6117

Senator Kevin Bacon

Senate Building

One Capitol Square, Ground Floor

Columbus, OH  43215

Nancy Garland

State Representative

77 South High Street, 10^th Floor

Columbus, OH  43215-6117

Anne Gonzales

State Representative

77 South High Street, 12^th Floor

Columbus, OH  43215-6117

Make sure to include the PUCO case number 11-4161-WS-AIR in your letter. 
You can include a copy of one of your water bills if you like.  Together we can and do make a difference.

                                                                              Thank you,

                                                                              James Welch