The request, which came from national utilities company Aqua Texas, would have raised around $30 million in additional revenue for the company.
The big picture
Submitted June 20, Aqua Texas’ request asked for a consolidated statewide tariff, which would bring $17.8 million more in water revenue and $11.4 million more in wastewater revenue to the company under the new consolidated system, according to Houston City Council Nov. 12 meeting documents.
The actual rate change for Houston residents would have varied, but it could have impacted 93 residential customers and at least 62 commercial customers within the city’s limits, according to meeting documents. Across the state, Aqua Texas has about 76,000 water customers and 25,300 wastewater customers.
The breakdown
According to meeting documents, systems that would have been impacted by the rate changes were:
- Oak Manor
- Brittmoore-West by Northwest
- Walraven
- Summer Lakes Ranch
- The Commons
Council member Fred Flickinger said he spoke to Kingwood residents who receive water service from Aqua Texas, and they were dissatisfied with the company.
“Here [Aqua Texas is] coming back and asking for this huge increase, which I think is a travesty for the residents, given how terrible the water service has been,” Flickinger said. “Unfortunately, the city isn’t able to provide it because we don’t have the capacity in that specific area.”
A media request with Aqua Texas was pending as of press time Nov. 12. A comment from the company will be added, if provided.
Stay tuned
Aqua Texas also submitted a request for unincorporated areas to the Public Utility Commission of Texas and will likely appeal the city’s decision to that commission, according to meeting documents.
