PSC approves Missouri American rate increase

Average residential customer's bill to increase 47%

The website for Missouri American Water (screenshot shown above) is at http://www.amwater.com/moaw/

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

State regulators approved on Wednesday a $24 million rate increase for water and sewer customers of Missouri American Water Co. The average residential customer will see a 47 percent increase in his monthly bill.

The increase, which was granted by the Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC), is to take effect April 1 for many of the company’s nearly 458,000 customers.

According to the company, the new rates will increase water rates for the typical Jefferson City residential customer using 4,000 gallons of water by about $12.80 a month. The increase will bring the average bill to about $40 per month.

The new rates reflect water infrastructure investments of approximately $12.2 million in Jefferson City that were completed from May 1, 2010, to Dec. 31, 2011.

These investments include upgrades to the 120-year-old water intake pipelines and pumping station that deliver water from the Missouri River to the water treatment plant.

Replacing aging water mains on Jefferson Street, Tanner Bridge Road and Monroe Streets and the replacing of fire hydrants and water meters across the system were also completed.

Jefferson City customers have not had a rate increase since 2008, according to company officials.

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JCLifer 1 year, 3 months ago

WooHoo! 47% is all you got? Bring on more increases!

Gas will soon be $5.00 a gallon. Health insurance is going up another 30%
Food prices are going out of sight.

What's a little 47% increase?

gofish 1 year, 3 months ago

The state employees just had their 2% raise negated by the 47% water hike, so it's business as usual. A whole new class of the working poor is being created. Our city is headed for the toilet.

JMO 1 year, 3 months ago

Oh please, like we're actually going to get that 2% raise.

spelchek 1 year, 3 months ago

"Jefferson City customers have not had a rate increase since 2008..." -- That's about the last time the State handed out any increase in pay. I second gofish's sentiment.

JCLifer 1 year, 3 months ago

Notice the city will also be collecting 47% higher taxes from the water bills next month too. This increase is a win-win!!!

viktorkowski 1 year, 3 months ago

bingo we have a winner.

Rison 1 year, 3 months ago

PUBLIC SEVICE COMMISSION

Mission Statement

We will: Ensure that Missourians receive safe and reliable utility services at just, reasonable and affordable rates; Support economic development through either traditional rate of return regulation or competition, as required by law; Establish standards so that competition will maintain or improve the quality of services provided to Missourians; Provide the public the information they need to make educated utility choices;provide an efficient regulatory process that is responsive to all parties, and perform our duties ethically and professionally.

47%!?!? I think that goes against the mission statement just a lil bit. Time to find out whose pockets are being lined by this. What a joke.

JCLifer 1 year, 3 months ago

Especially when the water mains on my family member's street break at least twice per month and leave her without water. They keep patching the mains for the past eight years, but no signs of ever replacing them. It is a big inconvienence for her to be without water for a day or two each month.

She is only a block away from district water and wishes she could tie in to that.

RetiredOne 1 year, 3 months ago

I will predict that the trash rates will go up again in November.

I understand that the city is considering two new sales taxes yet this year.

JCsleeper 1 year, 3 months ago

If not Ameren, who's next ?

JCLifer 1 year, 3 months ago

Schools tax increase too!

Too much transformation already!

spelchek 1 year, 3 months ago

If our legislators / governor are trying to get people to move away from this area by creating a state work force with stagnant/low wages, diminishing benefits, diminishing morale complimented with an ever increasing cost of living, then they indeed are going above and beyond the call of duty. Good luck Jefferson City officials bringing/retaining "young professionals" with such a bleak outlook. This town IS the state work force, it drives everything, no convention center or old prison is going to entice people to live here. Good jobs with good salaries would be a nice place to start. 50th out of 50, bravo.

online_editor 1 year, 3 months ago

Let's reserve this page discussion for the MoAm hike, utility prices and related local issues, rather than general views about national politics which have already been posted on other, politics-related stories. I removed a few posts that strayed away from the story's specific focus. Thanks. --Rick Brown, online editor, News Tribune

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