The Guam Waterworks Authority (GWA) faces another dilemma as they meet with many of their irate and dissatisfied customers in a three different public hearing on October 6, 7, and 8, 2015.
The public hearing is hosted by Guam Waterworks Authority or (GWA) discussed the new cost and increase rate of their services to GWA customers who were enraged and affected by both service increase rate and the series of ongoing water outages, due to the maintenance and project repair of GWA all over the Guam’s major pipelines.
Most community members believe that the rate increase made by GWA is “untimely”, therefore, the Public Utilities Commission or (PUC) should revoke its previous approval of the 16.5% rate increase last September 25, 2015.
This is not possible anymore since according to Mike Miller, Interim General Manager of Guam Waterworks Authority; FY2016 is already the 3rd year and already halfway of the 5 year rate plan that has the same projection of 16.5% from 13.09% last time out. “The main thrust for FY2016 will be improved water supply reliability, water quality, leak detection, line repair, meter replacement and complying with requirements of 2011 federal court order,” Miller added.
Based on the GWA’s data, the rate increase will hit all customers such as Residential Class with less than 5 kilogram per gallon consumption or (<5 kgal) with 4% increase, 7% on Residential Class with greater than 5 kilogram per gallon consumption or (>5 kgal) and 13% on Commercial, Hotel, Government, Agriculture and Irrigation respectively transitioning from their current bill of FY2015 to the new bill of FY2016.
The GWA is confident enough that their cost of study is agreeable and they will be able to handle the situation during the three day public hearings. The Guam Waterworks Authority is also ensuring all of its customers to the beneficial gain of having safe drinking water first and foremost, on top of clean water for the environment after GWA becomes compliant to United States Environment and Protection Agency or USEPA after completing of all its projects.
The number of projects included on the GWA’s perspective is the construction of new concrete water tanks in Latte Heights and major pipeline replacements in different parts of Island Wide Water System or (IWWS).
GWA was hoping all the issues and concerns of the community will be discussed during the public hearings. It was noted however that the first public hearing was poorly attended.
Netizens however, used social media to voice out their concerns, which unfortunately is not the proper venue./The Junction News Team
