From staff reports
Four area water companies – Venango, B.E. Rhodes Sewer, Sugarcreek and West Hickory -have filed requests with the Public Utility Commission to raise rates, effective Nov. 15.
– Venango Water Co., which serves Reno, has requested an 18 percent increase of its annual revenues.
If the PUC approves the entire request, the monthly bill for a residential customer using 500 cubic feet of water would increase from $41.30 to $48.74; the bill for a commercial customer using 5,100 cubic feet would increase from $240.48 to $283.80; the bill for an industrial customer using 2,000 cubic feet would increase from $106.25 to $125.39; the bill for a public customer using 200 cubic feet would increase from $28.31 to $33.41.
If the PUC approves the entire request, the monthly bill for a residential customer using 500 cubic feet of water would increase from $31.34 to $37; the bill for a commercial customer using 4,800 cubic feet would increase from $207.21 to $244.69; the bill for an industrial customer using 2,000 cubic feet would increase from $92.69 to $109.45; the bill for a public customer using 200 cubic feet would increase from $19.07 to $22.51.
– Sugarcreek Water Co., which serves Sugarcreek, has requested a 21 percent increase of its annual revenues.
If the PUC approves the entire request, the monthly bill for a residential customer using 4,000 gallons of water would increase from $31.49 to $38.09; the bill for a commercial customer using 62,000 gallons would increase from $382.75 to $462.93; the bill for a public customer using 52,000 gallons would increase from $334.02 to $404.12.
– West Hickory Water Co., which serves West Hickory in Forest County, has requested a 31 percent increase of its annual revenues.
There are three ways customers may challenge rate request changes: filing a formal complaint; sending the PUC a letter that explains the objection; being a witness at a public input hearing.
Anyone with questions can reach the water companies by calling 814-676-2730 or 800-724-8579.
