PUD commission considers water hikes

Wahkiakum PUD commissioners and management discussed proposed water rate increases at their meeting June 1.

Manager Dave Tramblie asked the board to come to a consensus about the proposed rate increases so that rate hearings could be scheduled for public comment.

The proposed rate increase for the Puget Island water system is $3.25 beginning in August of this year. The commissioners declined to support a further rate increase for January, but said they would revisit rates at that time if needed. The increased charge will be applied to the usage rate.

If the increase is approved a typical Puget Island water bill will average a base fee of $32.84 and a usage fee of $14.90 a month, based on average water consumption of 623 cubic feet per month.

For the Western Wahkiakum Water System, the commissioners propose to raise rates $3 in August and $6 in January 2011. Seventy-five percent of the rate increase will be levied on usage charges while the final 25 percent will be applied to the base rate, which is currently $44.10. If approved, base rates will be $45.60 and usage will be $12.42 based on average usage of 718 cubic feet per month.

The commissioners approved scheduling two rate hearings on June 29. One will occur at 3 p.m. in the PUD commissioners’ meeting room and one will occur during the evening in Rosburg. A time and place for that hearing will be announced soon. The public is invited to attend and offer their comments.