Water and sewer rate hike proposed for some Prince William customers

Water bills could be going up for some Prince William County residents.

The proposed increase for Virginia American Water customers would mean a 30% increase for customers in Prince William County. Virginia American Water’s Prince William customers are in the eastern portion of the county while the separate Prince William Service Authority provides water service for all other areas of the county.

Customers in the Prince William District would see rates increase by nearly 14% and customers in the Prince William Waste Water District would see rates go up by 17% The increased revenues would amount to about $3 million in additional annual funding for the utilty.  Virginia American Water provides both water and waste water service to about 90% of its customers in Prince William County.

The company needs to charge more to recoup the costs of improving pipes and other equipment, according to a filing with the Virginia State Corporation Commission.

“The investments in the waste water system in Dale City system include roughly $1 million of equipment and tools, including computer/electronic equipment, and two larger pieces of equipment – trucks equipped with machinery and technology to clean, repair, inspect, assess and record pipe condition and other tasks necessary for operating and maintaining the wastewater collection system. In addition, we invested $650,000 to replace two deteriorating aerial (above ground) sewer mains to prevent potential environmental issues in the future,” said Virginia American Water spokeswoman Samantha Villegas.

Virginia American Water also serves other areas of Virginia to include Alexandria, where rate increases are also requested. If approved, the company stands to gain nearly $9 million more annually.

The utility is requesting to charge a minimum of $20 per customer for those who have a 5/8 inch meter, $30 for 3/4, $50 for 1 inch, up to $500 for a 4-inch meter.

Starting in April, the utility plans to change the way it bills customers in Prince William County. Waste water customers in county would be billed monthly after receiving service instead of quarterly before receiving the service. Waste water bills will also be incorporated into regular water bills, and a new electronic billing service will be introduced. 

The Virginia State Corporation Commission will accept comments about the rate increase between now and June 14. A public hearing on the matter is scheduled at SCC headquarters in the Tyler Building, 1300 E. Main Street in Richmond at 10 a.m. June 21.

Virginia American Water acquired the Dale Service Corporation in 2013 and now operates it as the Prince William Water District.