CITIZEN STAFF REPORT

FRANKFORT — Martin County Water customers will pay about 10 percent more for their water.

The Kentucky Public Service Commission entered an order late Tuesday raising the water rate.

The minimum monthly bill, plus the $7.35 surcharges, increases from $44.67 to $48.77. The cost per 1,000 gallons over the minimum 2,000 gallons increases from $9.36 to $10.49.

Customers using 4,000 gallons a month will see their bills increase from $63.39 to $69.75.

The PSC, in its order, states: “A revenue increase of $550,980 from water service rates is necessary to generate the overall revenue requirement.”

The PSC set non-recurring charges as follows:

Meter disconnection reduced from $40 to $20.

Meter re-read reduced from $40 to $20.

Meter test reduced from $75 to $53.

Meter turn-on reduced from $40 to $20.

Meter turn-on after-hours reduced from $60 to $55.

Meter reconnection reduced from $40 to $20.

Meter reconnection after-hours reduced from $60 to $55.

Returned check charge raised from $10 to $25.

Service call/investigation reduced from $40 to $20.

Service call/investigation after hours reduced from $60 to $55.

The PSC granted a temporary interim increase in July 2021 while the PSC decided the permanent rate.

Tuesday’s order was that permanent rate, meaning the PSC ordered an increase of more than 21 percent.

The water rate in Martin County has increased at least 75 percent during the last four years.

Even though the district is paying a management company nearly around $170,000 a month, Martin County District’s water loss rate has not improved. In December 2021, the district reported its highest water loss rate at 79.45 percent.

When Alliance began managing the district in January 2020, officials said it would take about two years to get the water loss rate in compliance, which means 15 percent or less by state standards. In last month’s water board meeting, Alliance local manager Craig Miller said he hopes to see the rate down to 35 percent in 10 years.