| Docket Number | Docket Name | Company |
|---|---|---|
| UW 203 | SOUTH COAST WATER COMPANY REQUEST FOR A GENERAL RATE REVISION | SOUTH COAST WATER COMPANY, LLC |
| Comment Number | Created Date | Email Received Date | Company Name | Comment Type | Source Type | First Name | Last Name | Nearest City | Comment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UW 203-1 | 1/2/2025 10:06:55 AM | SOUTH COAST WATER COMPANY, LLC | Oppose Docket | Web | CHERYL | LUDWIG | FLORENCE | We received a letter dated Dec 20, 2024 from South Coast Water Company that they intend to file a general rate revision with the PUC. The proposed rate increase is expected to be $99.32 per month beginning Feb 1, 2025, an increase of 63.4% from 2023 revenues and 32.5% over 2024 revenues (data provided by South Coast Water in their letter). 1. The time frame of 6 weeks (Dec 20 - Feb 1) for the public to digest and react to this proposal is not fair. 2. The increase amount is exorbitant for a retirement community. Should this proposal be granted, water may become unaffordable. Additionally, Mr. Puttman noted in our Dunes City Town Hall meeting that he intends for rates to continue to escalate over time. Can the PUC prevent the water company from performing this devastating impact on our small retirement community? | ||
| UW 203-2 | 1/2/2025 10:35:20 AM | SOUTH COAST WATER COMPANY, LLC | General Comment | Web | Michael | McGlone | FLORENCE | We just had a rate increase on our water bills and I think this is too soon. We have no choice in Dunes City but South coast water. | ||
| UW 203-3 | 1/2/2025 12:56:45 PM | SOUTH COAST WATER COMPANY, LLC | Oppose Docket | Web | Delia | Ralstin | FLORENCE | This new proposal for a monthly water increase - is not just - Jan 2024 was our most recent increase due to infrastructure and PUC approval that placed all into operation. Now a new company has purchased our water system and plans to make additional increases - why ? to increase profits ? No - No --- please STOP this now - it's getting out of hand without proper representation. Delia & Ron Ralstin 83397 Parkway Drive Florence OR 97439 541 999 7915 | ||
| UW 203-4 | 1/2/2025 12:18:58 PM | SOUTH COAST WATER COMPANY, LLC | Oppose Docket | Web | Damon | White | FLORENCE | Docket # UW203 - South Coast Water Company request for a general rate increase we just had a major increase within the past 24 mos. now they want to raise it again just because they made a couple of small improvements> I dont think so! Thomas Putman has acted like an uncaring crook from the start. | ||
| UW 203-5 | 2/19/2025 10:07:17 AM | SOUTH COAST WATER COMPANY, LLC | General Comment | Web | ROBIN | MILLS III | FLORENCE | Attn.: UW 203 Administrative Hearings Division Public Utility Commission of Oregon P.0. Box 1088 Salem, OR 97308 Re: The Matter of South Coast Water Company, LLC. (hereinafter referred to as South Coast), Request for a General Rate Revision Dear Commissioners: I am a customer of South Coast Water Company, and have received water through this system since 1997 -long before Mr. Puttman purchased the system from Oregon Water Services. My current base price is $49.88 per month, plus usage. The nearest city is Florence, Oregon (about six miles north). I contacted them to inquire as to their rates. They indicated they charge $19.41 per month. The last census identified approximately 60% of the population of the City of Dunes City is over the age of 65 and on fixed incomes. Living expenses, as we all know, are going up. Many of those receiving Social Security or other fixed incomes cannot afford to deal with another increase by South Coast in addition to the outrageous costs of living. South Coast was allowed to raise their rates not long ago. Request is respectfully made that you carefully review the request of South Coast with an eye toward fairness and equitability toward those on fixed incomes. Thank you for the opportunity to provide input on this issue. Sincerely, Robin E. Mills lll | ||
| UW 203-6 | 2/25/2025 10:36:24 AM | SOUTH COAST WATER COMPANY, LLC | Oppose Docket | Web | CHERYL | LUDWIG | FLORENCE | 1. The main issue is these rate increases are occurring year after year. This topic was first addressed via letter from Mr. Puttnam on July 1, 2021. It is now 4 years later and our bills have been steadily increasing. The proposed amount per my letter from South Coast Water dated Dec 20, 2024, the proposed average monthly bill = $99.32. This will cost each household @ $1,200 per year! We are a retired community on a fixed income. 2. From our research, the proposed amounts South Coast Water is requesting exceeds the amounts charged in surrounding communities. South Coast Water is the only water resource available to us so we have no other recourse. 3. When public meetings on this topic were held at City Hall, the room was packed. I submit that the lack of attendance on the zoom call was not from a lack of interest or concern. Rather a lack of internet / Zoom expertise. The median age of a Dunes City residence is 65.1 years old. | ||
| UW 203-7 | 2/26/2025 12:32:54 AM | 2/25/2025 10:31:09 AM | General Comment | cludwig89@gmail.com | State of Oregon: Public Utility Commission of Oregon Case Manager: LAUREL ANDERSON Phone: 971-375-5059 1. The main issue is these rate increases are occurring year after year. This topic was first addressed via letter from Mr. Puttnam on July 1, 2021. It is now 4 years later and our bills have been steadily increasing. The proposed amount per my letter from South Coast Water dated Dec 20, 2024, the proposed average monthly bill = $99.32. This will cost each household @ $1,200 per year! We are a retired community on a fixed income. 2. From our research, the proposed amounts South Coast Water is requesting exceeds the amounts charged in surrounding communities. South Coast Water is the only water resource available to us so we have no other recourse. 3. When public meetings on this topic were held at City Hall, the room was packed. I submit that the lack of attendance on the zoom call was not from a lack of interest or concern. Rather a lack of internet / Zoom expertise. The median age of a Dunes City residence is 65.1 years old. Cheryl and John Ludwig 205-617-2431 cludwig89@gmail.com<mailto:cludwig89@gmail.com> 83412 Parkway Dr Florence, OR 97439 | |||||
| UW 203-8 | 2/28/2025 12:32:58 AM | 2/25/2025 9:40:43 AM | General Comment | mistymodel@hotmail.com | I am writing on behalf of my husband and I about the proposed water rate increase for Dunes City. Although my husband and I have been in Dunes City for a little over a year, this is the second time that we have seen a proposed water rate increase. The average age of Dunes City residents is 65 years old so they live on a fixed income so water rate increases are a challenge for many residents of Dunes City. We have had meetings with our neighbors (9 homes) about this increase. We do want to know what the money from the increased rates will pay for. Is it new equipment or maintenance of existing equipment? What will happen if the increase is not approved? Will service/water quality be impacted? Will we keep seeing 40% or similar increases every year? We also ask why Dunes City has higher water rates than Florence and Reedsport. We hope this information will be looked at when evaluating approval for this water rate increase. Thank you. Mark and Misty Hatcher |