<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=13hEsm_0w7kPyqe00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=13hEsm_0w7kPyqe00" width="1600" height="915" ></figure>Stunned by a proposed nearly 80% rate hike over three years, customers of the northeast Oklahoma Tenkiller Waterworks company are fighting mad.They’ve organized a petition drive against the rate hike filed in recent days with the Oklahoma Corporation Commission.A Facebook report indicated at least 200 had signed the petition.“I urge the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to reject any proposed rate hikes request by the representatives of TenkillerWaterworks, Inc. As members of this community, we believe that these rate increases are unnecessary and would place an added financial burden upon the members of our community. We respectfully request that the Commission consider the impact of such increases on customers and work to ensure fair and affordable utility rates for all,” stated the petition.Customers are so angry over the rate hike that one Facebook alert issued Tuesday stated that threats had been made to a USW employee and the company said it would be involving law enforcement and dealing with the issue.US Water reportedly contracts with Tenkiller Waterworks to manage a freshwater plant.Tenkiller Waterworks proposed a 3-year rate hike. Phase one would total $68,363 or 36.03%. Phase two would total $160,184 or another 17.66% and phase three would amount to a compounded increase of 15.01%. The request has yet to be acted on by Corporation Commissioners.Here’s how Tenkiller Waterworks defended its request.“The decision to seek rate relief is not one that the Utility has taken lightly. The utility has not had an increase in water rates since its last rate case application filed in June 2013 for the test year ended December 31, 2012. The Utility is requesting a rate increase because the existing rates do not provide sufficient revenues to cover the required expenses of operations on a going–forward basis and an opportunity to earn a fair return on the Utility’s investment in used and useful property for the public use.”But the complaints from customers are starting to mount at the corporation commission. One couple in Park Hill, Okahoma stated they wanted to register their “objection to the outrageous proposed 84% increase.”They explained they never received any direct notification of the intent to file a rate increase and only learned of it on Facebook.“Many TWI water users are not on Facebook or specific Facebook groups to even be aware of the requested rate increase. This is the usual lack of communication from the water utility for this community for anything including; outages, repairs, boil water notices…”Still others who are residents of Lake Tenkiller Habor and The Hills raised objections.“There are many concerns other than just the upcoming increases, but first I would like to reiterate that the water septic bill is already $110 dollars per month. Increasing it 36%, 10%, and17% “compounding” over the next three years will have a great economic impact on the full-time residents living here on a fixed income. Our water rates already are as high or higher than mostin the area.”</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

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TenKiller water increase request stuns ratepayers

Stunned by a proposed nearly 80% rate hike over three years, customers of the northeast Oklahoma Tenkiller Waterworks company are fighting mad. They’ve organized a petition drive against the rate hike filed in recent days with the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. A Facebook report indicated at least 200 had signed...