Lake Monticello Residents Upset Over Rising Water Rates

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Updated: 8:31 PM Sep 9, 2010 Lake Monticello Residents Upset Over Rising Water Rates Lake Monticello residents have been paying higher water and sewer rates since December. In December, Aqua Virginia recommended that the SCC raise water rates by 40 percent and sewer rates by 50 percent. Posted: 6:12 PM Sep 9, 2010 Reporter: Mark Tenia Email Address: mark.tenia@newsplex.com

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September 9, 2010

Lake Monticello residents have been paying higher water and sewer rates since December.

In December, Aqua Virginia recommended that the SCC raise water rates by 40 percent and sewer rates by 50 percent.

The raise went into effect immediately, even though it was not yet approved by the State Corporation Commission.

The issue has many Lake Monticello residents upset. Bernard Saliba says, "ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous. Its just going up too much, too fast."

Verne Jarvis also added, "along with other increases, it makes my stomach turn".

The SCC is now recommending that water rates only go up 18 percent and that sewer rates go up 41 percent.

If that happens, Lake Monticello residents will receive a refund for the extra money they have payed.

For those whose bill is currently $105 a month, it would drop to $93 a month.

For those whose bill is now $200 a month, it would go down to $181.

Even if the rates are lowered, they would still be an increase from the original amount.

Aqua Virginia says the extra money covers renovations, repairs, and new construction.

They commented, saying "We haven't yet had the opportunity to review the report in depth. We will have the ability to comment on any issue of concern or disagreement as the process continues, but we are not ready to comment in detail until we've sufficiently evaluated the report."

Latest Comments

Posted by: John Location: Lake Monticello on Sep 20, 2010 at 06:34 AM

http://documents.foodandwaterwatch.org/AquaAmerica.pdf

Posted by: John Location: Lake Monticello on Sep 20, 2010 at 05:32 AM

Selling the water and sewer infrastructure at Lake Monticello to a private company was a big mistake. The more Aqua America spends the more Aqua America makes. Aqua America is guaranteed a certain return on investment. Aqua America has no incentive to operate efficiently. Water & Sewer is an absolute monopoly. LMOA could have made all necessary improvements and had lower rates than we have now. Aqua America’s goal is to extract as much money from Lake Monticello as the SCC will allow. http://documents.foodandwaterwatch.org/AquaAmerica.pdf

Posted by: Cville Location: Cville on Sep 17, 2010 at 10:51 AM

When I bought my house in Albemarle 10 years ago, we looked at the lake. The roads were awful, and the water system was crumbling. No one had been paying to maintain these items, they are private and not maintained by the county. I just imagined that this would be happening. Pay now or pay later...just don't complain...or complain to the proper people...the HOA board you elected. My taxes may be higher in Albemarle (only slightly), but my water and sewer bill is only $60 per month.

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