Aqua Virginia asks for hefty water rate hike

Aqua Virginia, which is part of a water and wastewater service that serves communities in eight states, is asking for a 30 to 50 percent rate increase in its services across the state.

Aqua Virginia serves approximately 2,500 homes in the Blue Ridge and Valley Districts in Botetourt County, and the Board of Supervisors took issue with the proposed rate increase during the November 28, 2023 meeting. The Board met at the Botetourt County Administration Center at Greenfield in Amsterdam.

Officials at the county meeting said the base rate for water would rise from $11.31 to $25.34 if the increase is approved by the State Corporation Commission.

The Supervisors agreed to file papers notifying the SCC that the county has an interest in protecting its citizens from the rate increase and wishes to participate in the proceedings. The resolution would position the county to do more in the future as the rate increase request moves through the system, according to the county attorney.

A copy of Aqua Virginia’s filing with the State Corporation Commission is available here.

                                                                           Anita Firebaugh, Special to The Botetourt Bee