Rec centers rails against water rate hike proposal

Sun City residents face a double dose of cost increases for the water they use, and Recreation Centers officials urge them to flood the Arizona Corporation Commission with their comments and concerns.

The Arizona American Water Co. is seeking approval to consolidate water rates on a regional basis in addition to hiking water rates in Sun City nearly 28 percent and wastewater rates 41 percent, according to a release from the the Recreation Centers of Sun City.

Currently, water rates are unique for each of Arizona American’s geographic districts, reflecting the differing costs to serve each area.

Rate consolidation bundles groups of geographical districts and averages costs.

RCSC officials maintain that would make water treatment costlier in Sun City. The community has some of the best water in the state, but if bundling regions occurs, treatment costs would rise in Sun City to make up for additional treatment processes required in other communities.

In addition, consolidating areas, as Sun City West experienced in its latest water rate case, makes it difficult for areas such as the Sun Cities to make their case for rate hike relief, according to the RCSC, which has informed the ACC and Arizona American of its opposition to consolidation.

The RCSC also made clear Thursday that it opposes the water company’s rate hike for Sun City.

Arizona American’s application request to the ACC seeks a 27.7 percent increase in water rates and a 40.8 percent boost in wastewater rates.

“Although RCSC has notified the ACC we oppose this increase, stating the fact that we are a non-profit organization that serves and is funded by the 27,931 residences of Sun City, this will have little effect unless the residents of Sun City do the same,” the RCSC stated in a release.

Not only will the residents be affected by their individual increase in water and wastewater, they also will also be affected by the increase to RCSC, which will have to be passed on in annual property assessments.

The RCSC urges residents to write to the Arizona Corporation Commission, Consumer Services Section, 1200 W. Washington St., Phoenix AZ 85007, providing the following information: your name, address, phone number, e-mail address and the following:
Utility Name: Arizona-American Water Company, Inc. Docket Numbers:  W-01303A-09-0343, SW-01303A-09-0343; Re:  Rate Consolidation and Increases