Patrick Rose

"We must protect Aqua Texas customers from excessive rate increases and a establish a better, fairer rate-setting process."  State Rep. Patrick Rose

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR AQUA TEXAS CUSTOMERS

TCEQ will conduct a full compliance investigation of Aqua Texas’ wastewater facilities at Woodcreek this fiscal year. During the course of this investigation, the TCEQ will be evaluating the condition of the wastewater plant in order to ensure that it is compliant.  Investigators will sample the effluent, observe treatment processes, and review operation records.  If the facility is found to be in noncompliance, depending on the severity, the TCEQ will either issue a Notice of  Violation, which would require Aqua Texas to make corrections within a specified period of time, or a Notice of Enforcement, which would assess monetary penalties.  Rep. Patrick Rose’s office is monitoring this process closely and strongly advocating that Aqua should be held accountable every time they provide inadequate service.

If you encounter problems with your water and wastewater service, please notify both Aqua Texas and the TCEQ as soon as possible.  You may reach the customer service department of Aqua Texas at (877) 987-2782 and the Austin Regional Office of the TCEQ at (512) 339-2929. Notifying the TCEQ of any problems is extremely important, especially during its compliance investigation of Aqua Texas’ wastewater facilities at Woodcreek.  

Rep. Patrick Rose criticizes vote by TCEQ Commissioners to approve Aqua Texas rate increase

Despite the efforts of a broad legislative coalition and Aqua Texas customers, the TCEQ Commissioners voted on Wednesday, August 20 to approve a rate increase for Aqua Texas, Inc. While the approved base rate of $84.64 is below Aqua’s higher proposed rate for water and wastewater, Rep. Patrick Rose is extremely disappointed that the commissioners chose to approve any increase at all.

This rate increase will greatly impact hundreds of families across our region at a time when basic costs like fuel and food are increasing daily. Thousands of Texans protested this rate increase, and the Commissioners had an opportunity to be their advocate.

Read Rep. Rose’s letter updating you and your neighbors about Aqua Texas’ latest actions here>>

Rep. Patrick Rose submits testimony in opposition to Aqua Texas rate increase

On March 19th, the commissioners of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) considered Aqua Texas Inc.’s request for a water and sewer rate increase in 52 Texas counties.   By submitting public comment on behalf of Hays County residents served by Aqua Texas, Inc., State Rep. Patrick M. Rose joined other elected officials and residents that are united in opposition to this proposed rate increase.  

Read Rep. Rose’s letter to the TCEQ Commissioners>>

Patrick Rose:  Fighting for Texas ratepayers

Aqua Texas is a private utility that provides water to more than 150,000 Texans.  In Hays County, it owns the Chaparral Water System, Copper Hills Water System, Granite Creek WSC, Leisurewoods Water Company, Meadow Woods Water Supply, Oak Meadows, Southwest Territory, Woodcreek Utility Company I, Woodcreek Utility Company II and Sierra West Subdivision.  The application currently before the commissioners does not include either Woodcreek system, as those customers have appealed the rate increase separately.

Rep. Rose believes that this request should be denied by the TCEQ commissioners because of its negative impact on Hays County families, particularly at a time when basic costs like fuel and food are increasing daily.  The proposed base rate of $97.09 for water and sewer, which fails to include a single gallon of water, is unjust and excessive.  Hays County residents understand that infrastructure improvements must be made.  However, Aqua Texas was aware of these needs prior to the purchase of the Texas systems and it should accept responsibility for these operation expenses, customers should not bear the full cost of these improvements alone.  We must strike a balance that provides Hays County families a fair rate, a base allotment of water, and sound infrastructure.

Thousands of Texans have protested this rate increase, and Rep. Rose is urging the TCEQ commissioners to take a strong stand on their behalf.  As this is the largest rate case in our state’s history and because of the possible implications, the decision has been postponed to the June 18th hearing.  Rep. Rose continues to advocate on behalf of Hays County customers as we await a decision by the commissioners.

In preparation for the next Regular Session, the House Committee on Natural Resources is charged with studying investor owned utilities and Texas’ rate setting process. The committee has been reviewing and evaluating the regulatory model for investor-owned water and sewer utilities like Aqua Texas. 

This work has included an examination of the rate setting process, consultant fee recovery, overall cost reductions and options for more effective ratepayer participation in this process.  Rep. Rose and his office are working closely with the committee and encourage you to join their efforts to protect customers from excessive rate increases in the future and establish a better, fairer rate-setting process. 

If you are interested in learning more about Aqua Texas’ rate case and the ongoing legislative work during this interim, please contact Rep. Rose at your Capitol office at 512/463-0647, by email at patrick.rose@house.state.tx.us, or by mail at P.O. Box 2910, Austin, TX, 78768.