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7 Franklin Co. Townships Fight Water-Rate Hike

Fight The Hike (Added: January 29, 2010)

Seven Franklin County townships join to fight an American Water Company rate hike. (more)

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7 Franklin Co. Townships Fight Water-Rate Hike

Seven Franklin County townships join to fight an American Water Company rate hike.

By Donna Willis
Published: January 29, 2010

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FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ohio -- Could you afford to pay your water bill if were to climb 60-some percent over the next four years?

The Ohio American Water Company wants to raise its rates that much, and the seven Franklin County townships it serves have joined forces to fight the hike.

NBC 4 reported with the FAST FACTS.

One resident, who recognized the fact he had visitors during the holidays, said his December water bill was $327.

"When good people don't move into a neighborhood because the water is too expensive, the community loses," another resident said.

Residents gathered at Westerville's Faith Covenant Church Thursday night to talk about American Water Company's proposed 26 percent water increase and 19 percent sewer increase (part of the 60 percent, four-year hike).

American Water Company has submitted its plan for a four-year 60 percent increase to the Public Utilities Commission Of Ohio (PUCO). It said it can't avoid an increase.

We've invested in $17 million in capital. We've also seen increasing costs drivers for the rate case -- in pension and labor, chemicals, power, property taxes that have brought us here for a rate case, OAW President David Little said.

State Representative Nancy Garland was on hand and asked the PUCO to deny the rate hike request.

(NBC 4 originally reported Garland introduced H.B. 344 in response to the hike. That is incorrect. State Representative Marian Harris introduced HB 344 in response to Ohio American Water's proposed rate hike. The consumer protection bill sets reasonable limits on how much in excess fees water companies can charge customers.)

She said the water company has not leveled the playing field for consumers.

"According to the Ohio Consumers Council, Ohio American Water is unfairly granting subsidies to commercial customers thus placing an even greater burden on customers such as yourselves," State Rep. Nancy Garland said.

Instead of 26 percent, the PUCO has recommended a 6.56 percent hike, but nothing has been finalized.

Customers continued to prepare to use a lot less water or pay more for it.

For additional information, stay with NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com -- Where Accuracy Matters.
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