LEXINGTON (WACH) -- The proposed rate hike by Carolina Water Service has been voted down according to Senator Jake Knotts.
Knotts, of Lexington County, says the 80 percent increase was denied by the South Carolina Public Service Commission Thursday.
The utility requested the water rate hike and a 14 percent increase in its sewer rate. CWS was hoping to recoup $10 million from its customers for money spent since 2005 on various improvement and maintenance projects.
“We have worked very hard over the last several years to successfully manage expenses and improve service. We have invested almost $10MM in the infrastructure, a fact which was not disputed by the Commission, so it is extremely frustrating that we were denied any recovery for that investment whatsoever”, said Lisa Sparrow, President and CEO of Utilities, Inc.
CWS provides water and sewer to 16,000 people across nine counties in South Carolina including some in the Midlands. The majority of its customers live in Lexington and many of them voiced their opinions about the utility and its proposal at a public hearing in July.
Sen. Knotts, who was opposed to the increase, requested the hearing and encouraged customers to attend.
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