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Residents Face Proposed Double-Digit Water, Sewer Rate Increases

Water Bill Hike (Added: September 14, 2009)

NBC 4 looks at the reasons why your water bill could be on the rise. (more)

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Residents Face Proposed Double-Digit Water, Sewer Rate Increases

Seven Franklin County townships join forces to stop water-rate increases.

By Candice Lee
Published: September 14, 2009

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CENTRAL OHIO -- Ohio-American Water presented a rate increase plan to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio of more than 60 percent over the next four years.

NBC 4 got answers on why the utility says it needs the increase and what it means to customers.

Families, such as Dennis and Marilyn Gregerson, say that's too much.

"I could possibly see a 10- or 15-percent increase over three years, but 64 percent, or 55 percent or whatever they are proposing, is way too much," Dennis said as he and his wife worked in their garden Monday.

Ohio-American Water wants to recoup $17 million in statewide investments. It spent $3 million on its Franklin County properties alone.

"You get the benefit of the expenses of your district spread out across the rest of the rate base," spokesperson Mary Beth Johnson said.

Of the seven townships affected by the rate increase -- Norwich, Prairie, Blendon, Madison and Truro -- plan to draft a resolution opposing the increase. The other two -- Perry and Sharon -- have already done so on their own or plan to do so.

A public meeting of residents is set for 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, at Ridgewood Park, across from the Huber Ridge Water Treatment Plant on Buenos Aires Boulevard.

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