Meeting on sewer rate hike Wednesday
Far West Water & Sewer customers are reminded that they have an opportunity to give the Arizona Corporation Commission their thoughts on Far West's proposed sewer rate hike when commissioners visit Yuma Wednesday.
Commissioners will take public comment at 6 p.m. in the auditorium at Gila Ridge High School, 7150 E. 24th St. The commission will not vote at that time.
The ACC agreed to come here to get customer input after receiving many messages from Foothills residents interested in airing their concerns closer to home. The commission usually meets in Phoenix, where it's headquartered, or in Tucson.
Far West approached the ACC last summer seeking to raise its residential customers' sewer bills from $21.75 per month to $62.65, or an increase of 188 percent.
The utility says its financial condition is “grim” after more than $20 million in improvements to its wastewater treatment system and the higher cost of doing business.
Customer interest in the proposed rate hike is high. As of Friday, the ACC had posted about 160 letters and messages of opposition from Far West customers on its website.
Hillary Davis can be reached at hdavis@yumasun.com or 539-6857. Find her on Facebook at Facebook.com/YSHillaryDavis or on Twitter at @YSHillaryDavis.
