Water company asks 15.2% hike in base service rate

Louisiana Water Co. is seeking a base rate increase of about 15 percent in the price of water it provides Eunice and surrounding areas.
The company last received a change in November of 2010, when the Public Service Commission approved a base rate change of 8 percent. The water company had asked for 9.3 percent.
The current minimum base rate for customers in Eunice is $12.96 for the first 2,000 gallons used in a billing period.
Louisiana Water Co., in the rate proposal submitted to the PSC, wants that increased to $14.92. The $1.96 change is 15.2 percent.
The company says the increase is necessary “due to the increased investments in utility plant, as well as the additional capital expenditures to protect our monthly water supply.”
The rate change of 2010 generated about $1 million of annual revenue from the area (Eunice, Crowley, New Iberia, Dequincy, Mansura and Lecompte) involved.
Currently all water usage in Eunice over the first 2,000 gallons is billed at $2.67 per thousand gallons. The company proposes to raise that rate to $3.08 per thousand gallons.
Other proposed rate changes:
Tapping fee, from $85 to $150;
Reconnect fee, from $25 to $35 during regular hours; $40 to $40 other hours;
Connection fee, from $15 to $25;
NSF check fee, from $12 to $20;
Private fire hydrant fee, from $13 to $20;
Fire Protection Sprinkler charges, 2-8 inches, from $6 /$8.50/$12;$15;$20 to $8/$12/$15/$20/$25.
Persons wishing to comment on the proposal can contact the PSC of 1-800-256-2397