Baton Rouge Water Company seeks rate increase

The Baton Rouge Water Company is scheduled to go before the Public Service Commission next week to request a rate hike that will increase the average water bill by 61 cents a month. “If people really notice that increase, it will amaze me,” says Hays Owen, senior vice president and chief administrative officer for Baton Rouge Water. The water company hasn’t increased its rates since 1992. Since then, more than $70 million in improvements have been made to the system, including several million in upgrades since Hurricane Katrina. Officials with the PSC note that the water company’s expenses have gone up 57% since the last rate increase, thanks to rising fuel and utility costs. “This is something that has been needed,” Owen says. PSC staffers have recommended the rate increase, which will bring in an additional $2.5 million a year to the water company. Plans are to use the additional revenue for general water company expenses. If approved, the increase will take effect with the April meter readings.—Timothy Boone