October 4th, 2016 by WCBC Radio

A public comment hearing will be held on Tuesday, October 18, 2016 at 6:30pm for the application by Maryland Water Service, Inc. to revise its rates for water and wastewater services. Maryland Water Service provides water and wastewater service to more than 1,000 customers in the Pinto/Bel Air and Highland Estates communities in Allegany County.

 

The hearing will be held at the Center for Career and Technical Education, 14211 McMullen Highway, in Cresaptown, Maryland. Members of the public who wish to comment on the matter are welcome to attend the proceeding before Public Utility Law Judge Dennis H. Sober. 

 

According to its application, Maryland Water Service proposes to raise its rates by $178,764—a total increase of just over 21 percent. The proposed adjustment to the company’s rates and charges will result in an increase on the average Highland Estates residential water customer of 2.33 percent; on the average Pinto water customer of 11.89 percent and the average Pinto wastewater customer of approximately 19.62 percent. The primary reasons for the Company's proposed rate increase relate to increases in plant investments, operating expenses, and declining consumption.