Dozens of Scott County residents attended a public hearing Tuesday at Georgetown College to comment on a proposed sewer rate increase.
Bluegrass Water is a subsidiary of St. Louis-based Central States Water, which purchased several small Kentucky sewer systems in 2019.
The utility’s Scott County customers are already angry about an increase that multiplied their wastewater bills in 2021. Now, Bluegrass is asking the Kentucky Public Service Commission for another.
William Daniel lives in Northern Scott County and says his bill increased from $12 a month to $77.
The latest proposal would take it up to $115.
“That's a small car payment,” he said. “I don't know what, what do they want? I mean, when are they going to stop?”
Bluegrass customers told the PSC Tuesday they feel trapped. Some said they’d consider moving due to the increase, while others asked county officials to buy back the wastewater system to lower their bills.
Central States water has about 500,000 customers across 11 states.
As Scott County resident Roy Cornett explained, he’s had a hard time getting a hold of anyone with the company.
“Bluegrass Water's people have just been simply absentee owners,” he said. “I've made attempts to reach myself several times over the years. They just don't respond.”
Cornett said the company finally called him back after he complained to the PSC.
The state regulator held another public hearing last week in McCracken County, where customers expressed similar frustrations about Bluegrass Water.
The utility's customers will have another opportunity to speak to the commission when it meets in Frankfort on Sept. 21 to hear witness testimony.
