ANTHEM
– Residents will have an opportunity to give public comment
at Boulder Creek High School on Arizona American Water’s
proposed water and sewer rate increases.
At
the request of the Anthem Community Council, the Arizona
Corporation Commission agreed to hold a 6 p.m. meeting
at BCHS Auditorium, 40404 N. Gavilan Peak Parkway, on
May 24.
“This
is a way for people to weigh‑in and put dollars
in their pockets,” said Frank Grimmelmann, council board
member. “The turnout will reflect the political climate
in Anthem, so bring your friends, neighbors, mother –
everyone.”
Residents
will have an opportunity to speak at the meeting.
Another
public comment period will be held at 10 a.m. May 29 at
the commission’s Phoenix offices. Public comment always
precedes the formal hearing. The commission also accepts
written comments.
Water
and sewer rates vary by size of meter and quantity of
water used, as well as type of customer.
The company’s current residential water rates average
$28.06 per month for a 5/8‑inch meter and usage
of about 9,000
gallons.
AAW
proposes to increase the average water bill by $19.55
per month to $47.61, according to a commission press release.
The
Anthem water provider has also applied for a wastewater
services rate increase.
The
average residential waste‑water customer pays about
$38.12 a month. AAW proposes to increase this average
bill by $19.74 to $57.85.
Adding
the two proposed rate hikes together, the average water
and wastewater bill would increase to $105.46 a month.
By
comparison, the monthly residential water service for
Phoenix customers living inside the city limits is $4.64
a month, according to the city’s Web site. Phoenix water
customers living outside the city limits are charged $6.96
a month.
The
first 4,488 gallons of water are included in the Phoenix
monthly rate from October to May. From June to September,
7,480 gallons are included in the city’s service charge.
Phoenix
residential sewer charges start at $17.23 a month, including
water‑volume usage, for the first three months,
according to the city water department. After three months,
sewer charges are adjusted, depending on the volume of
water usage.
Phoenix
customers pay an average of $21.87 a month for water and
sewer services.
Desert
Hills water charges are $49.05 a month for 7,700 gallons
on a residential rate, according to one customer.
Arizona
American Water says it is proposing the rate increase
in part to repay Del Webb Corp/Pulte Homes for the Anthem
water infrastructure, as stated in the rate application.
The
bulk of the infrastructure repayments are coming due at
community build‑out, which is soon approaching.
