Alexandria Residents to See Increase in Cost of Water

The cost of water soon will increase for Alexandrians.

The Virginia State Corporation Commission has approved the rate increase requested by Virginia American Water, which serves the city of Alexandria and other jurisdictions.

The quarterly rate for the water service portion of a bill for a customer in the Alexandria district, based on an average quarterly usage of 14,400 gallons, will increase by about $4.44.

Virginia American Water will begin the rate increase Aug. 13, although the Virginia State Corp. approved a lower rate that the utility firm requested.

Virginia American Water says the need for a rate increase largely is based on an estimated $36 million in nfrastructure improvements the utility company has made since 2008 to enhance water service.

The company recently completed a $24.7 million treatment plant improvement project in the Hopewell District, which upgraded the capacity of its water treatment facilities from 12 million gallons a day to 18 million gallons a day.  It also has begun plans for construction of a water storage tank in the Prince William district. 

Following a 16-month review, the Virginia State Corporation Commission issued an order that approves new rates for Virginia American Water’s 54,400 customers in Alexandria, the City of Hopewell, a portion of Prince George County in the Hopewell District, and a portion of Prince William County.

The water service portion of a Hopewell District residential customer’s monthly water bill, based on average monthly usage of 5,967 gallons, will increase by about $6.01.

For a customer in the Prince William District using the average of 17,300 gallons each quarter, the quarterly bill for water service will increase by $9.25.

Since these rates are lower than what was previously implemented in August 2010, Virginia American Water will refund the difference to customers, plus interest, through a credit on customer bills.