Anchorage Water and Wastewater Utility is still pushing for a 10 percent increase in rates this year for its customers who get both water and sewer service.
The Regulatory Commission of Alaska recently put a hold on the utility's request for that rate increase, instead putting in place a temporary rate increase of about 6 percent.
But yesterday AWWU’s Board of Directors voted to appeal the RCA's decision.
AWWU says the utility needs the full 10 percent rate increase to help pay for infrastructure and service projects. They say if the RCA forces them to lower their rates, customers would pay in the long run.
“Customers may not get as prompt a response in outages, and also at the counters, there will be more work being done with less people,” said Chris Kosinski with AWWU.
If a long-term investigation by the RCA reveals that the utilities rate hikes are unnecessary, AWWU will be forced to pay back ratepayers the difference with interest.
Contact Jason Lamb at jlamb@ktuu.com
