Water Utility Rate Case Public Hearing Will Be November 11

Madison-The Wisconsin Public Service Commission will hold a public hearing on the Madison Water Utility's rate increase request on November 11 at 2 p.m. at the PSC's building located at 610 North Whitney Way. The proposed increase would raise the average residential customer's six-month water bill by about 12%, or $10.50. The utility has requested the increase to cover increased operational costs and the need to replace aging water mains, some of which are as much as 100 years old. The rate case includes a first step toward a rate structure designed to encourage water conservation by eliminating the declining block rate for residential customers who use more than 50,000 cubic feet (374,000 gallons) in a six-month period. Also included is a request to raise $250,000 in revenue to fund a high efficiency toilet rebate program. The Madison Water Utility's rates have been among the lowest in the state; they are the 14th lowest of the 73 water utilities in its size category. An average residential customer of the Madison Water Utility currently pays about $85.50 for water every six months. Under the new rates, the same customer would pay about $96.00. By comparison, customers in other Wisconsin cities pay much larger bills for the same amount of water: Menasha, $217.88; Oshkosh, $200.50; Marshfield, $151.00; Beaver Dam, $142.90; Watertown, $147.08; Green Bay, $124.00; and Racine, $104.00. ###

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