Aqua Texas Rate Increase Proposal Faces Pushback
Aqua Texas Rate Increase Proposal Faces Pushback
WOODCREEK, Texas, November 21, 2023 – Aqua Texas, Inc. has filed an application with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) to increase water and wastewater rates for customers in its Southwest service area. This comes on the heels of another recent rate hike which was approved but has not yet gone into effect. Altogether, if the second application is approved, residential customers’ monthly water and wastewater bills will rise by $53.29 on average according to the utility’s estimates.
Aqua claims these rate increases are necessary to recover its investments in infrastructure upgrades and service reliability improvements. However, local community groups are pushing back on the most recent rate hike proposal, arguing Aqua has provided no evidence that service has substantially improved despite capital spending. “We want proof that Aqua’s investments have improved service metrics like line loss, pressure, outages, response time, and water quality,” said Connie Valentin, President of the Woodcreek North Property Owners Association. “If not, the PUC is obliged to reject the application.”
Local associations, including the Woodcreek Property Owners Association, the Watershed Association, and the Trinity Edwards Springs Protection Association (TESPA), have filed a motion to intervene in the rate case alongside utility customers in Woodcreek North. They argue that the proposed rates are excessive, lack justification from Aqua, and would impose hardship on customers who are struggling from the impact of Aqua’s already high water and wastewater rates, Aqua’s alleged overpumping and ignoring drought restrictions, wasteful leaky pipes and negative impact on the local tourism economy. Aqua has violated the HTGCD’s drought curtailment policies and pumped nearly double the amount of water their permit allows, the groups claim.
“Wimberley’s local economy is dependent on tens of thousands of tourists coming to swim at Jacob’s Well and Blue Hole every year. With Aqua’s over-pumping and water leaks causing historically low water levels, swimming was banned all summer. This means Wimberley’s local tourism economy is being negatively impacted because Aqua isn’t following their own drought contingency plan and rules of the local groundwater conservation district.” Said David Baker, Executive Director of the Watershed Association.
The intervenors have retained legal counsel to represent members who will be affected by the outcome of Aqua’s application to the PUC. They will ask the PUC to audit Aqua’s financial and operational performance data to justify the proposed rate changes. If Aqua ratepayers have questions or would like to file concerns, they can contact The Office of Public Utility Counsel by email – opuc_customer@opuc.texas.gov – or call 512-936-7514.