| Docket Number | Docket Name | Company |
|---|---|---|
| UW 205 | AGATE WATER COMPANY REQUEST FOR A GENERAL RATE REVISION | AGATE WATER COMPANY |
| Comment Number | Created Date | Email Received Date | Company Name | Comment Type | Source Type | First Name | Last Name | Nearest City | Comment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UW 205-1 | 3/26/2025 12:33:56 AM | 3/25/2025 1:51:07 PM | General Comment | amanda.kc.reilly@gmail.com | Good afternoon, I received a notice yesterday regarding a price increase being proposed with Agate Water Company. While I understand that rate increases are necessary, the increase that they are proposing almost doubles our water bill. We already implement practices in our home to decrease our monthly utility bills, including monitoring our water usage. As a working class family with seven children, this increase would have a significant financial impact on us. A majority of this neighborhood is in the same income bracket as we are, and I would imagine have similar concerns. I think it would be more responsible and fair for Agate to adopt these increases gradually over a longer timeframe. Furthermore, we live in a fire zone with a very real seasonal threat to our neighborhood. While we do not maintain a lawn on our property, several of our neighbors do. These spaces can help protect our home should a fire spark up in our vicinity. This increase could force our neighbors to abandon their lawns and gardens which would be replaced with more dry fuel for a wildfire. Please consider the ramifications of this immense rate increase and devise a more effective plan for the customers of Agate Water Company. Thank you, Amanda Reilly-Heisinger 541-508-8550 | |||||
| UW 205-10 | 3/30/2025 8:23:57 AM | AGATE WATER COMPANY | Oppose Docket | Web | Leah | Harmon | BEND | Hello, On behalf of my family and neighbors, I would like to speak out against Agate Water Company request for rate revision. This rate increase, which is nearly double, would have a crippling effect on our ability to pay our bills. It is an unacceptable sudden and extreme increase. While we understand that Agate feels this is a necessary increase for varying reasons, we request that you consider the impact this increase would have on families like ours. We simply cannot support this rate increase. Thank you for your time and consideration. Best, L Harmon | ||
| UW 205-11 | 3/31/2025 12:05:57 PM | AGATE WATER COMPANY | Oppose Docket | Web | Linda | Taylor | BEND | I'm writing in response to a letter I received from my water service provider, Agate Water, which indicated they want to significantly increase their base rate and rate per cubic foot. According to their PDF posted online, their current rates are: Base rate $32.73 $1.65/cubic foot With requested increase to: Base rate $53.71 $3.23/cubic foot This puts the community of Deschutes River Woods far above City of Bend water rates. The massive increase, which they're seeking to impose all at once, is not sustainable for our community. We have not seen an improvement in service or infrastructure to account for an immediate 65% increase. | ||
| UW 205-12 | 3/31/2025 1:06:06 PM | AGATE WATER COMPANY | Oppose Docket | Web | Phillip | Carr | BEND | We have lived at our current address for 5.5 years. We have had our power increase roughly 50% during that time. All our costs have increased in that time, as have everyone's. I'm frustrated that we received their letter dated 3/18/25 (that took 5 days to arrive from that date) from Agate regarding the proposed increase. They provided a one page letter about the increase via standard mail. It's up to the customer to go online and review their application to get any further information. It seems like they gave us no time to look into this increase and share our thoughts or how it would impact us. After looking through the 40 page document, I don't clearly see how they will be using the increase. It looks like the new rate will start 4/10/25. That is less than 30 days notice to it's customers. Are they improving infrastructure, maintenance, just paying employees/owners more? I understand that they haven't asked for an increase in 10 years. However, to expect customers to go from paying roughly $50 per month, to $88 per month (their provided amount in letter) in less than a month's time, is ridiculous. Even if they want to ask for a rate increase, which makes sense, it should be in a more staggered way over time. This is a huge burden to put on many people who are barely making ends meet right now. We live in a high fire danger area, with solid Ponderosa Pine trees all around our homes. This increase will only cause us to not be able to maintain our defensible green space/lawn, keep trees healthy that are next to our buildings. We already do our very best to conserve water so that we don't have huge bills each summer. We have a small garden trying to grow veggies, and a small yard that is mostly clover, which requires less water than grass. We are reasonable people. We also do not have any other choices for water out here. They are the only water service option, or putting in a well, which isn't an option. Please do not approve Agate Water Company to such a huge increase at one time for their customers. | ||
| UW 205-13 | 3/31/2025 2:48:49 PM | AGATE WATER COMPANY | Oppose Docket | Web | Shaina | Tapia | BEND | Agates proposal to almost double their rates should not be approved. According to the proposal, most of the increase being asked for is to increase employee wages. And, as a business owner myself, I can relate to the need to do so. However, I urge whoever is looking into this case to consider a fair hourly rate, for all the employees as well as officers. Please consider what other employees of other utility companies are making, and only allow for an increase in wages to reflect that. Upon doing some research it appears that the increase being proposed is well above what other employees in similar fields of work make. A utility company is a need. A need for all people including those on limited incomes so a request to nearly double the cost could be catastrophic for some. Unlike other services or products, we do not have the ability to shop around. Also, city of bends water is a neighboring water company who has many more employees than Agate yet is charging nearly $1.00 less per cubic foot, that the increase proposed by Agate. My final thought that I think should be considered is we live in a densely wooded area, my fear is that people who are serviced by agate water company will start conserving water to a hazardous level. The ammount of water that is used a my house and neighbors in whom I have talked to spend about 6 times as much in the summer in order to maintain a fire free yard. For that ammount to double would be equivalent to working minium wage for 1 week. | ||
| UW 205-14 | 4/1/2025 12:32:51 AM | 3/31/2025 4:14:04 PM | General Comment | PUC PUC.PublicComments * PUC | From: Linda Ly Taylor <linda.mobile@gmail.com<mailto:linda.mobile@gmail.com>> Sent: Saturday, March 29, 2025 9:44 PM To: PUC PUCHearings * PUC <puc.hearings@puc.oregon.gov<mailto:puc.hearings@puc.oregon.gov>> Subject: Docket #UW205 linda.mobile@gmail.com<mailto:linda.mobile@gmail.com>. To whom it may concern, I'm writing in response to a letter I received from my water service provider, Agate Water, which indicated they want to significantly increase their base rate and rate per cubic foot. According to their PDF posted online, their current rates are: Base rate $32.73 $1.65/cubic foot With requested increase to: Base rate $53.71 $3.23/cubic foot This puts the community of Deschutes River Woods far above City of Bend water rates. The massive increase, which they're seeking to impose all at once, is not sustainable for our community. We have not seen an improvement in service or infrastructure to account for an immediate 65% increase. I oppose the increase as proposed and would like to be included in upcoming hearings. Regards, Linda Taylor 19210 Shoshone Rd. Bend, OR 97702 310-210-4475 | |||||
| UW 205-15 | 4/1/2025 8:49:22 AM | AGATE WATER COMPANY | Oppose Docket | Web | Ellen | Morrison | BEND | Letter entered by Consumer Services staff JC on 04/01/2025 PUC ADMINISTRATION We in Central Oregon have been notified of a 40% water increase from Agate Water Co. They state it's been 10 years since the last hike. Looking back on my records which is 6 1/2 years. From 2019 ($32.73) to 2025 ($50.27). Now they propose a ($88.04) and this is just to look at the faucet not turning it on. I believe that a 40% increase will dry up our lands and make us susceptible to even a greater fire threat then we are already in. Please reconsider a 40% rate "hike". Thank you | ||
| UW 205-16 | 4/1/2025 8:37:42 PM | AGATE WATER COMPANY | Oppose Docket | Web | David | Bredendick | BEND | I oppose Agate Water Company’s request for a 2025 fixed plus variable rate increase of 79% based on our own 2023 invoiced amounts. I applaud Chief Administrative Law Judge Alison Lackey's notations on propriety and reasonableness and support the up to nine-month suspension of the requested increases to allow the staff at the Oregon Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to review this request thoroughly. Agate Water Company’s prior request for a rate change, initiated in 2013, was also suspended for further evaluation before a conditional approval was granted in 2014. The Oregon PUC made conditional requests of Agate Water in the 2014 approval that are not reflected in their 2025 submission. Specifically: • A reduction in base rate calculations based on Oregon Safe Drinking Water loans totaling $750,000 that were forgiven. • A request to file an additional rate case by August of 2017. Agate Water Company was given an opportunity for additional increase considerations before their 2025 submission. The current filing includes questionable proposed increases for this year related to Salaries & Wages for the five, now six, full-time employees plus part-time employees. These increases are questionable since no such increases are indicated for Agate’s officers and directors. The requested increase of $283,027 for Salaries and Wages and $23,727 in Pensions and Benefits, without any corresponding entries for officers and directors, suggests Agate’s employees would be receiving close to $100,000 per year. This does not align with their Section 23.Q note regarding the addition of a full-time employee for 2025 at $52,000 per year. Additionally, based on local testimonials, the proposed rate increase is higher than that of other area water providers. The fixed and variable rate increases requested are simply out of line for implementation in 2025 for any Public Utility company serving a limited customer base. At best, a phased implementation of increases in line with area competitors makes more sense to the customer base they hold captive. | ||
| UW 205-17 | 4/2/2025 7:26:58 AM | AGATE WATER COMPANY | Oppose Docket | Web | carla | Flaskerud | BEND | Letter entered by Consumer Services staff (KR) on 4/2/2025 PUC Administrative Hearing Division PO Box 1088 Salem OR 97308-1088 I am writing with a big concern regarding the amount of increase that my water company is asking for. Agate Water Company of Bend OR had asked for a 75% increase in our monthly bills. They justify it by saying that they haven't had an increase in a long time. Well, that is not my fault. I understand that an increase probably needs to happen but 75% at one time? That seems steep to me. With the amount of inflation and all the other increases that have hit in the past few years who can afford this much of an increase? I hope that you and your team will take into consideration how much to actually allow them to increase our bill. Water is an essential need and not being able to pay the bill puts us in jeopardy of having basic needs met. Carla Flaskerud 19053 River Woods Dr Bend OR 97702 541-388-4832 | ||
| UW 205-18 | 4/4/2025 12:57:18 AM | AGATE WATER COMPANY | Oppose Docket | Web | C | I | BEND | I oppose the increase in water service. If I had a choice of what water company I can use, didn’t have to pay for back flow testing, or if we were informed of emergencies in a timely fashion instead of on Facebook maybe it would justify this increase, but I don’t see a proposal to do so. Furthermore, we should only pay for our usage rather than salary increases. | ||
| UW 205-19 | 4/4/2025 1:01:38 AM | AGATE WATER COMPANY | Oppose Docket | Web | M | R | BEND | I am against the proposal to increase our water bill. We are on a fixed income and can not afford to pay $30-$50 more monthly for water so that they can have a better income. And I don’t even have a choice in the matter | ||
| UW 205-2 | 3/26/2025 12:33:59 AM | 3/25/2025 11:32:53 AM | General Comment | kimkahl44@gmail.com | Hello….everyone in my subdivision received a letter from the private water company who provides the water for our subdivision telling us that they have made application to the PUC to raise the rates from $50.27 to $88.04 per month! This is outrageous and because they are a monopoly, if this is approved by the PUC, they will get what they want whether people are able to pay or not. That would mean people will have their water shut off since there would be no alternative to being able to get water. There are people in this subdivision who are on fixed incomes, many of whom are low income. I am personally in a precarious situation because at this time, I am only receiving social security. The subdivision in question is Deschutes River Woods in Bend Oregon. We are instructed in the letter everyone received from Agate Water Co. in Bend OR that we can write letters to the PUC but I am wanting to know if there is an email address to write a complaint to. I do not have a printer so it would be very expedient to be able to send email. I would like to share that information with all the people in my subdivision who are understandably concerned and upset about how they would be able to pay that high rate. I look forward to a reply. Thank you... Kim Kahl | |||||
| UW 205-20 | 4/4/2025 1:03:28 AM | AGATE WATER COMPANY | Oppose Docket | Web | R | T | BEND | I can’t believe they want to raise our bill so much so fast. No thank you I opose | ||
| UW 205-21 | 4/6/2025 9:18:43 AM | AGATE WATER COMPANY | General Comment | Web | Brian | Leininger | BEND | The proposed rate increases by Agate Water are much higher than one would expect. Considering a large reason for the increase is to raise wages and pensions for employees, this increase should be incremental in natural and not the purposed 57%. That’s incredibly irresponsible management of the budget over time. | ||
| UW 205-22 | 4/6/2025 9:22:07 AM | AGATE WATER COMPANY | General Comment | Web | Sylvia | Nguyen | BEND | Agate Water proposing a 57% rate increase to account primarily for wage and pension increases is complete mismanagement of the budget, and a disservice to all constituents. | ||
| UW 205-23 | 4/9/2025 12:33:54 AM | 4/7/2025 8:50:04 PM | General Comment | kacoatney@gmail.com | We’re commenting on the proposed price increases from Agate Water Company. They’re asking for almost double. My God when is the PUC going to do their job and keep our utilities rates affordable. First you allow Pacific Power to pay for their own expenses on the backs of customers and now you want to almost double our water rates. It’s not like we can go somewhere else. They have a monopoly on us. Do your job and protect the consumer. Nick and Kathy Coatney 541-408-9326 office 530-519-3090 cell | |||||
| UW 205-24 | 4/9/2025 11:01:15 AM | AGATE WATER COMPANY | Oppose Docket | Web | Brian | Reilly | BEND | Agate Water Company in Deschutes County has requested a nearly 100% increase in water rates in their service area, in which I am currently located and have been for the last 12 years. This includes both the minimum flat rate as well as the usage rate. While some periodic increases are likely in order to offset inflationary costs, this is excessive and, in my opinion, unfounded. While I understand that they are a very small enterprise, their service has been mediocre at best with frequent pressure issues, additional charges to pay using digital methods, and near harassment on customer-paid backflow testing. At the very minimum, the monthly base/flat rate increase should be denied so that customers who use very little water, like myself, do not share an undue amount of the additional cost. Furthermore, their service area is in a heavily wooded pine forest environment and this increase will likely drive many to use less water in their yards, potentially significantly increasing the wildfire risk in our community. Thank your for the opportunity for me to express my opinion. | ||
| UW 205-25 | 4/14/2025 1:13:28 PM | AGATE WATER COMPANY | Oppose Docket | Web | Jeff | Veek | BEND | Letter entered by4/14/2025 Consumer Services staff KR on 04/14/2025: Date; April 10, 2025 PUC Oregon PO Box 1088 Salem, OR 97308-1088 To: Puc, whom it may concern, I have received a letter from our water company dated March 18, 2025. Agate water has submitted a rate increase to the Oregon PUC. This increase is over the allowed amount and could devastate many families financially. I would recommend to deny this rate increase of approximately 59%. A reasonable rate increase amount of approximately 10% would be acceptable. This proposed amount is not acceptable. Please consider the increase to all families. | ||
| UW 205-26 | 4/15/2025 12:32:49 AM | 4/14/2025 8:16:28 AM | General Comment | PUC PUC.PublicComments * PUC | -----Original Message----- From: Thomas E. Wright <tewright46@gmail.com> Sent: Friday, April 11, 2025 9:27 AM To: SHEARER Scott * PUC <scott.shearer@puc.oregon.gov> Subject: Docket No: UW 205 tewright46@gmail.com. Re: Agate Water rate increase. Scott, I am appalled at the proposed increase in the water bill: My wife and I are retired and on a fixed income. Our retirement income increased by about 3% and Agates increase was upwards of 70%. What options do we have? Sent from my iPhone | |||||
| UW 205-27 | 4/15/2025 6:23:57 PM | AGATE WATER COMPANY | Oppose Docket | Web | Melinda | H | BEND | We understand increases, however, our water bill is going to almost double each month from what we are currently paying today? For what? wages? The notices uses the term "RATE TARIFFS" - what is being imported? This doesn't make any sense and the amount of the increase is insane!! We 100% OPPOSE this proposal. | ||
| UW 205-28 | 4/21/2025 6:31:48 PM | AGATE WATER COMPANY | General Comment | Web | Thomas | Andes | LAKE OSWEGO | What is the current status of the water treatment facility and the measures your company has implemented to address concerns related to Cryptosporidium, lead and legionella? As member of the public, we are implemented residential water filter treatment systems that come with upfront and ongoing maintenance costs, we would like to understand whether the recent rate increases are truly justified, and they are improvements in water quality from the previous years. | ||
| UW 205-29 | 4/22/2025 12:32:55 AM | 4/21/2025 2:25:50 PM | General Comment | nmsaxton@gmail.com | To Whom It May Concern: Thank you for your time in reading through this email. Agate Water has submitted a rate increase to the PUC for a base rate change. While I can understand that costs (materials, labor, etc) have increased, looking through where the increase in income is proposed to go, it is incredibly concerning. It is not going to improve the infrastructure, it is solely based on wages. I can understand there hasn't been an increase in 10 years and in no way is it acceptable to have this drastic of an increase at one time. Please look at the cost of other water providers in Central Oregon (Avion, City of Bend). Agate is already priced higher than Avion (and they use the same aquifer) while serving fewer households. If there was an increase for the infrastructure and wages, it would be more palatable. However, an increase of 75% is unacceptable. If there needs to be an increase, which I'm sure could be justified, it needs to be a gradual increase. Thank you, Natasha Smith 60092 Cinder Butte Rd Bend, OR 97702 | |||||
| UW 205-3 | 3/26/2025 10:49:01 AM | AGATE WATER COMPANY | Oppose Docket | Web | Andrea | Munro | BEND | Subject: Public Comment on UW 205 Agate Water – Opposition to Proposed Rate Increase Dear Oregon Public Utility Commission, I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed 75% increase in base residential water rates by Agate Water Company. While I understand that operational costs rise over time, such an extreme increase places an undue financial burden on residents, particularly those on fixed incomes or with limited means to absorb such a drastic change. To put this in perspective, state regulations often cap residential rent increases at around 10% to prevent financial strain on tenants. If landlords must adhere to reasonable limits to ensure housing remains affordable, it seems only fair that essential utilities like water should follow a similar standard of gradual, justified adjustments rather than an abrupt and overwhelming increase. A more measured approach—such as smaller, periodic rate adjustments over time—would be more equitable and allow customers to plan and adjust their budgets accordingly. A sudden 75% hike is simply not feasible for many households and would create significant hardship. I urge the commission to reject this proposal and instead require a more responsible, incremental approach that balances the company's financial needs with the financial realities of its customers. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Deschutes River Woods Resident | ||
| UW 205-30 | 5/1/2025 12:32:41 AM | 4/30/2025 11:17:18 AM | General Comment | phatair4me@gmail.com | Good day, As a customer of Agate Water Company I write today extremely concerned about a proposed increase of what appears to be just under 75% on average users! In reviewing this request it seems to primarily fund salaries and payroll. I do not see that any significant improvement to the systems has been completed nor is one planned. Living in Deschutes River Woods is just as it sounds - it is in the woods. We maintain a fire defensible space around our home utilizing fuel reductions and fire breaks. Our fire break is our lawn in the front sides and rear of our property. Keeping this area green is already a great expense upon our family with water bills often reaching in excess of 130.00 in the summer. Increases such as the one proposed will greatly reduce the amount of water we can afford to put on our property and I am sure the same is applicable to our neighborhood. This will greatly increase the risk of a fast moving fire moving through our area with loss of life and property a great probability. I urge the commision to carefully look at these concerns when ruling on this proposed increase. I cannot recall any increases in any of our utilities or services that were half the percentage of this proposed increase and am incredulous that such an increase could even be considered. In appreciation of your time. Thank you, Jeremy and Melanie Paule 18989 Baker Rd Bend OR 97702 https://s-install.avcdn.net/ipm/preview/icons/icon-envelope-tick-green-avg-v1.png Virus-free.www.avg.com | |||||
| UW 205-31 | 5/1/2025 12:32:44 AM | 4/30/2025 11:17:18 AM | General Comment | phatair4me@gmail.com | Good day, As a customer of Agate Water Company I write today extremely concerned about a proposed increase of what appears to be just under 75% on average users! In reviewing this request it seems to primarily fund salaries and payroll. I do not see that any significant improvement to the systems has been completed nor is one planned. Living in Deschutes River Woods is just as it sounds - it is in the woods. We maintain a fire defensible space around our home utilizing fuel reductions and fire breaks. Our fire break is our lawn in the front sides and rear of our property. Keeping this area green is already a great expense upon our family with water bills often reaching in excess of 130.00 in the summer. Increases such as the one proposed will greatly reduce the amount of water we can afford to put on our property and I am sure the same is applicable to our neighborhood. This will greatly increase the risk of a fast moving fire moving through our area with loss of life and property a great probability. I urge the commision to carefully look at these concerns when ruling on this proposed increase. I cannot recall any increases in any of our utilities or services that were half the percentage of this proposed increase and am incredulous that such an increase could even be considered. In appreciation of your time. Thank you, Jeremy and Melanie Paule 18989 Baker Rd Bend OR 97702 https://s-install.avcdn.net/ipm/preview/icons/icon-envelope-tick-green-avg-v1.png Virus-free.www.avg.com | |||||
| UW 205-32 | 5/1/2025 12:32:47 AM | 4/30/2025 11:17:18 AM | General Comment | phatair4me@gmail.com | Good day, As a customer of Agate Water Company I write today extremely concerned about a proposed increase of what appears to be just under 75% on average users! In reviewing this request it seems to primarily fund salaries and payroll. I do not see that any significant improvement to the systems has been completed nor is one planned. Living in Deschutes River Woods is just as it sounds - it is in the woods. We maintain a fire defensible space around our home utilizing fuel reductions and fire breaks. Our fire break is our lawn in the front sides and rear of our property. Keeping this area green is already a great expense upon our family with water bills often reaching in excess of 130.00 in the summer. Increases such as the one proposed will greatly reduce the amount of water we can afford to put on our property and I am sure the same is applicable to our neighborhood. This will greatly increase the risk of a fast moving fire moving through our area with loss of life and property a great probability. I urge the commision to carefully look at these concerns when ruling on this proposed increase. I cannot recall any increases in any of our utilities or services that were half the percentage of this proposed increase and am incredulous that such an increase could even be considered. In appreciation of your time. Thank you, Jeremy and Melanie Paule 18989 Baker Rd Bend OR 97702 https://s-install.avcdn.net/ipm/preview/icons/icon-envelope-tick-green-avg-v1.png Virus-free.www.avg.com | |||||
| UW 205-34 | 5/5/2025 12:32:45 AM | 5/2/2025 8:03:44 AM | General Comment | louiseakshirley@gmail.com | Hello, We appreciate the chance to respectfully speak up about changes to Agate Water Company's charges. This proposed significant increase in costs could not come at a worse time. People are already hurting from skyrocketing prices. The COL in Bend is uncomfortably high for many; Many people we know have to work 2 jobs just to keep up. Over 1 in 5 people in Central OR are experiencing food insecurity, and the Trump regime is eroding the programs that help people in poverty to stay above water. We absolutely support (and understand the need for) a slight increase year on year, but not such a massive increase all in one go. We suggest there should be a cap on the percent increase allowable in a single year, and we suggest that it's capped at 15%. Best regards, Louise Shirley (Confidential, just sharing for verification purposes) 19455 Apache Rd Bend OR 97702 | |||||
| UW 205-35 | 5/14/2025 6:11:42 PM | AGATE WATER COMPANY | General Comment | Web | Jeff | Fatland | BEND | Dear Agate/Apache, I recently received notice of the upcoming rate increase and would like to request consideration for customers who previously paid an additional $2,000 via the System Development Charge. While I understand that we have received a discount over the last ten years, it has not sufficiently reimbursed those of us who contributed extra funds to help build out the water system. When the original owner, Fred Schilling, developed the system, he relied on system development charges to expand infrastructure. At that time, we were required to pay a $2,500 system development fee, of which approximately $200 to $300 covered meter and installation costs, while the remainder directly supported system expansion. At that time, our monthly water bill ranged from $4.00 to $8.00. Following Mr. Schilling’s passing, ownership of the company transferred to his daughter and son-in-law. Shortly after, the Public Utility Commission intervened to regulate the utility, leading to significant increases in water rates. Given the financial burden placed on those of us who paid the higher cost to connect to the system, I respectfully ask for reconsideration of the upcoming rate adjustment. I appreciate your time and consideration of this request. Sincerely, Jeff Fatland Indian Summer - Fairness to Early Investors - Customers who paid the System Development Charge helped finance the infrastructure, easing the burden on the company during its early expansion. It’s reasonable to ensure those customers continue receiving appropriate recognition for their financial contributions. - Historical Precedent - If previous rate structures acknowledged the higher connection costs paid by certain customers, there is precedent for offering continued consideration. A sudden shift disregards past commitments and may set a precedent for unfair treatment. - Economic Impact on Long-Term Customers - Many customers who paid substantial fees upfront have been loyal users of the service for decades. Unexpected rate increases disproportionately affect those who have already contributed significantly to the system’s growth. - Comparison to Other Utilities - If similar water utilities have policies that account for prior development charges, referencing such examples could highlight industry norms and demonstrate that reconsideration aligns with best practices. - Community Stability and Customer Relations - Raising rates significantly without considering early contributors can lead to customer dissatisfaction, potentially prompting complaints to the Public Utility Commission and damaging trust in the utility. | ||
| UW 205-37 | 5/15/2025 8:12:05 AM | AGATE WATER COMPANY | Oppose Docket | Web | Dawn | Frey | BEND | As I am for necessary repairs to our old water system, I do NOT agree with this 60 percent hike on water service. Deschutes River Woods is home to many that are low income or fixed income, these additional rate hikes would be detrimental to those just trying to survive the times! The other concern is fire danger. If those of us who strive to have nice green safe spaces on our property, water usage would not be a priority as we will not want to pay $400 to keep our neighborhood safe. I hope that Agate water representatives would reevaluate their rate increases to something a lot more reasonable over time, not at once! Prices are going up but incomes are not! I would hate for my neighbors to not have proper access to water because they can’t afford to use it! | ||
| UW 205-39 | 5/15/2025 2:13:29 PM | AGATE WATER COMPANY | Oppose Docket | Web | RONALD | CARTER | BEND | Agate has been abusing their customers for years. They make false claims on their website about being in call 24 hours. Their service is disrupted on a regular basis. People in DRW are not the Bend affluent, we cannot afford a huge rate increase over already sky high water rates. Agate needs to learn to manage their money better, perform their duties better and learn how to treat customers. I am a disabled veteran and have had to trespass them from my property for bullying and harassing me | ||
| UW 205-4 | 3/26/2025 2:07:11 PM | AGATE WATER COMPANY | Oppose Docket | Web | Mike | Christy | BEND | To whom it may concern, I am a paying customer that is concerned about the hefty price increase proposed by Agate Water Company. The prices they are asking for are nearly double the current price and that is unacceptable. Water is a required utility and life supporting necessity. The increase would sustainsably increase their rates above all other nearby water companies. Agate Water Company should reflect a competitive rate, not a higher rate than anyone else. Please take the time to assess the needs of the CUSTOMERS of Agate Water Company and not just the needs of the company. Thank you. | ||
| UW 205-40 | 5/15/2025 2:40:59 PM | AGATE WATER COMPANY | General Comment | Web | Jenny | Jacox | BEND | I truly don’t understand how myself and others will be able to make this increase out of the money that so many of us stretch to the very end. A 60% increase on a most basic need like water is astronomical. Not even the power and gas companies have raised it that high please if there is anything that can be done to get this percentage lowered help all of us out here. | ||
| UW 205-41 | 5/15/2025 3:45:13 PM | AGATE WATER COMPANY | General Comment | Web | Tony | Allen | BEND | I don’t feel we should have to endure a hike like this because THEY( Agate Water) soaked up the difference for so many years. We were not asked if we wanted them to nor did we sign a contract saying we would be okay with such a hike. At least make it a reasonable hike. Things are tough enough as is. It’s not our problem, why should we have to pay for it. We will take hike if they pay for our backflow test that they require every year. | ||
| UW 205-44 | 5/20/2025 12:33:12 AM | 5/19/2025 9:44:10 AM | General Comment | PUC PUC.PublicComments * PUC | From: Debbie Huntington Griffith <dlhuntington@gmail.com<mailto:dlhuntington@gmail.com>> Sent: Wednesday, May 14, 2025 3:58 PM To: SHEARER Scott * PUC <scott.shearer@puc.oregon.gov<mailto:scott.shearer@puc.oregon.gov>> Subject: Docket UW205 Agate Water Co rate increase: OPPOSE dlhuntington@gmail.com<mailto:dlhuntington@gmail.com>. I want to make it part of the public hearing record for this rate increase, that what has been requested to increase our rates by what appears to be a 75% increase, is out of line with typical cost of inflation increases. The Griffith family OPPOSES, the request of this rate increase at the level being requested. We should not be penalized for past years where there apparently has not been a need for a rate increase, to accumulate what could have been with what's needed for the next couple of years. A steady and slow rate increase is more acceptable. Our incomes are not keeping up with the cost of living as it is. Thank you! Bill & Debbie Griffith | |||||
| UW 205-45 | 5/20/2025 12:33:16 AM | 5/14/2025 5:54:07 PM | General Comment | j_landson59@yahoo.com | Dear Honorable Judge Mapes I recently received notice of the upcoming rate increase and would like to request consideration for customers who previously paid an additional $2,000 via the System Development Charge. While I understand that we have received a discount over the last ten years, it has not sufficiently reimbursed those of us who contributed extra funds to help build out the water system. When the original owner, Fred Schilling, developed the system, he relied on system development charges to expand infrastructure. At that time, we were required to pay a $2,500 system development fee, of which approximately $200 to $300 covered meter and installation costs, while the remainder directly supported system expansion. At that time, our monthly water bill ranged from $4.00 to $8.00. Following Mr. Schilling’s passing, ownership of the company transferred to his daughter and son-in-law. Shortly after, the Public Utility Commission intervened to regulate the utility, leading to significant increases in water rates. Given the financial burden placed on those of us who paid the higher cost to connect to the system, I respectfully ask for reconsideration of the upcoming rate adjustment. I appreciate your time and consideration of this request. Sincerely, Jeff Fatland 19139 Indian Summer Rd - Fairness to Early Investors - Customers who paid the System Development Charge helped finance the infrastructure, easing the burden on the company during its early expansion. It’s reasonable to ensure those customers continue receiving appropriate recognition for their financial contributions. - Historical Precedent - If previous rate structures acknowledged the higher connection costs paid by certain customers, there is precedent for offering continued consideration. A sudden shift disregards past commitments and may set a precedent for unfair treatment. - Economic Impact on Long-Term Customers - Many customers who paid substantial fees upfront have been loyal users of the service for decades. Unexpected rate increases disproportionately affect those who have already contributed significantly to the system’s growth. - Comparison to Other Utilities - If similar water utilities have policies that account for prior development charges, referencing such examples could highlight industry norms and demonstrate that reconsideration aligns with best practices. - Community Stability and Customer Relations - Raising rates significantly without considering early contributors can lead to customer dissatisfaction, potentially prompting complaints to the Public Utility Commission and damaging trust in the utility. | |||||
| UW 205-5 | 3/26/2025 4:48:47 PM | AGATE WATER COMPANY | General Comment | Web | Geoff | Reynolds | BEND | I do not support this rate increase as it is too large (59%+). It would be better to spread out the increases over time, perhaps every 3 years. It is worth noting that over half (54.2%) of the proposed increase is due to salary increases - including the owners - not other costs of doing business. A large increase in Agage Water rates is not justified at this time. | ||
| UW 205-6 | 3/28/2025 12:33:22 AM | 3/27/2025 9:38:38 AM | General Comment | lavalands@yahoo.com | Agate Water Company in Deschutes River Woods provides us our water, and for the most part we’ve been pleased with their service. As far as the drinking quality of the water goes, it is the best, but recently we were informed that our rates would be increasing. This increase is not 5, 10, or even 20%, but 57% from an average of $50 per month to $88. Is this legal? I own rental property and would be in legal trouble if I’d increase rates by more than 10%, but it’s okay for a water company to increase rates by 57%? Bruce Wesley lavalands@yahoo.com | |||||
| UW 205-7 | 3/25/2025 11:55:01 PM | AGATE WATER COMPANY | General Comment | Web | Sharon | Stevenson | BEND | I am a paying customer of Agate Water company and I am concerned about the large price increase being proposed. This will nearly double the current price at a time when we and our neighbors are already having a hard time being able to pay our bills and afford basic groceries. They state that the large rate increase is due to not increasing the rate for the last 10 years. If that is the case, how have they been operating at all the last few years? This is a required utility and water is necessary to support life. I am on a fixed income and will have no choice but to stop watering my yard which will put my property at risk for wildfire. Even if I only shower once a month and not do any laundry or wash dishes, I will not be able to afford this increase. | ||
| UW 205-8 | 3/28/2025 2:28:23 PM | AGATE WATER COMPANY | General Comment | Web | Shaina | Tapia | BEND | Public comment entered verbatim by Consumer Services staff-AN To whom it may concern, I am a paying customer that is concerned about the hefty price increase proposed with Agate Water Company. I understand that they note their reasoning for the proposed increase is the lack of rate increases in, the Iast 10 years. I understand that prices have increased for everything, but this should be reflected by making small adjustments over time. The prices they are asking for are nearly double the current price and that is frankly unacceptable, for a required utility and life supporting necessity. If they in fact NEED these price increases in order to maintain a functioning facility, then I would have to question how they have been able to operate over the last 10 years without any increase. They negligence to increase prices shouldn't weigh so heavy on their customers. Furthermore, the increase would sustainably increase their rates far above alI other nearby water companies, and their rates should reflect a competitive one. Please take time to assess the NEEDS of this water company, and the Need of the consumers that require it. | ||
| UW 205-9 | 3/30/2025 12:52:00 AM | AGATE WATER COMPANY | Oppose Docket | Web | Mike | Christy | BEND | o whom it may concern, I am a paying customer that is concerned about the hefty price increase proposed by Agate Water Company. The prices they are asking for are nearly double the current price and that is unacceptable. Water is a required utility and life supporting necessity. The increase would increase their rates above all other nearby water companies. Agate Water Company should reflect a competitive rate, not a higher rate than anyone else. Please take the time to assess the needs of the CUSTOMERS of Agate Water Company and not just the needs of the company. Thank you. |