The Missouri Public Service Commission has begun formal hearings on Missouri American Water's latest rate increase proposal.
Those hearings will take place this week at the commission offices in the Governor's Office Building, 200 Madison St.
The hearings are open to the public, but only witnesses who have been subpoenaed will give testimony. To watch the hearings online, go to psc.mo.gov/VideoDetail.
Hearings are scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. today, Wednesday and Thursday and 1:30 p.m. Friday.
Missouri American Water filed the request at the end of June, asking for an annual revenue increase of $73.9 million for water customers and $800,000 for sewer customers.
Average Jefferson City customers of Missouri American Water using 3,000 gallons of water a month would see a $1.14 increase in their monthly bill, from $27.75 to $28.89, according to a summary of the proposed rate changes. This would include the company's customers in Wardsville.
The biggest changes in the proposal are to the company's sewer rates.
An average Wardsville customer using 3,000 gallons a month would see an increase of $7.92, from $50.50 to $58.42. However, Missouri American Water has proposed making sewer rates flat in Wardsville, leaving the sewer rate at $58.42 in the future. Those using 5,000 and 7,000 gallons a month would see a decrease in monthly rates, from $68.50 and $86.50, respectively, to the flat fee of $58.42.
The rates will not change until the PSC reviews the entire request. A decision could come in late spring or early summer.
The PSC approved Missouri American's general rate case in July 2016.