Huber Ridge Area

Has anyone heard about the new rate increase request from Aqua water?

It is in today's Dispatch . See Dispatch metro section page B 3 

Today's Dispatch has a public notice in the Metro section, page B3, bottom. A rate increase from Aqua for water and Customer Charge Water. The current customer charge water is $8.55; the proposed rate increase will take it to 9.00. The current rate for water is per gallon, $0.0091725. The proposed rate is per 100 gallons at 1.00875. Example using my bill this month, for 1,496 gallons @ $0.0091725 was $13.72 plus the $8.55 for a total water charge of $22.27. With the proposed rate I would pay $15.09 plus $9.00. Aqua is required to notify our trustees of proposed rate increases and in the past, the HRAA president (who was Jim Welch) was also notified. Jim always was on top of this and let us know about these increases right away. So, Jim Welch and Carolyn Emptage Cordray, were you notified?

This is being discussed on Facebook; Jim's response was:

"I am aware and at the December HRAA meeting aqua was in attendance and this was.discussed. For the customers of the Huberridge treatment plant who use the average will see a decrease of .25 per month in their total bill. Look at the proposal, no reverse osmosis charge.  If anyone has any questions please feel free to call me. 614.306.8080 thank you.

Yes, thank you.  I called Jim and learned that Aqua is eliminating our reverse osmosis charge but adjusted rates for all their districts.  The noted districts will realize a rate increase, but with the removal of the reverse osmosis charge, our district will actually see a decrease.  How much of a decrease will depend on usage, of course.  Jim also added that this rate adjustment that may provide a decrease is the result of a community that took past action by sending letters, giving testimony at PUCO meetings, and signing petitions for five previous OAW increases.  He commended the community for this, and pointed out that these things never happen with just one person - it takes a community.  How true.

Pam Clegg