Public Hearing Higher Water Rates

TL;DR: Water bills are going up. "If the request is granted, the water bill for an average Residential customer ... will increase ... 64.69 percent." (But, apparently, the new proposed rates haven't been released yet.)

A public hearing will be held for community members at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 29 in the Black River Beach Neighborhood Center, Maplewood North Conference Room. Parties and PSC staff appear by Zoom. Parties and PSC staff may use the telephone connection as a backup or if no adequate internet connection exists. 

Join by Zoom at: https://us02web.zoom.us/my/pschearings

The PSC intends to livestream and record this hearing on YouTube. A member of the public may observe without participation any hearing session by: 

1. Attending any physical location as noticed, 

2. Watching on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/@PSCWI-Hearings, 

3. If no adequate internet connection exists, listening by telephone. 

• Dial: +1 312 626 6799 

• Enter Meeting ID: 809 513 2930 

A person may testify in this proceeding without becoming a party and without attorney representation. A person may submit this testimony in only one of the following ways: 

+ Web Comment. File a comment on the internet. Go to the PSC’s web site at http://psc.wi.gov, click the dropdown menu labeled “Commission Actions.” Select the item labeled “File a Public Comment.” On the next page select the “File a comment” link that appears for docket number 2920-WR-106. Web comments shall be received no later than Friday, July 31, 2026.

+ Live Comment. Make a live comment at the hearing. The ALJ may receive live comments from any member of the public in attendance after the close of any party and PSC staff testimony. The ALJ will receive such comments by stating the name of each member of the public connected to the hearing one at a time and asking if they would like to comment. 

+ Mail Comment. Send a comment by U.S. Mail. All comments submitted by U.S. Mail shall be received no later than Friday, July 31, 2026 and shall be addressed to: Attn: Docket 2920-WR-106 Comments, Public Service Commission, P.O. Box 7854, Madison, WI 53707-7854. 

To access the documents, schedule, and other information about this docket, go to the PSC’s web site at http://psc.wi.gov, select the dropdown menu labeled “eServices.” Select the item labeled “Docket Search (CMS).” On the next page, enter 2920-WR-106 in the spaces labeled “Docket ID” and select “Search.” 

If you have any questions, please contact the La Crosse Utilities Office at 608-789-7536.

Documents: 

• Water Rate Application
• Explanations to Accompany Application

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Current Rates in La Crosse

 

 

The current rate structure charges a pittance for actual water use, something we can control, but a relatively large amount for fixed costs which means residents who are water conscious and/or use little water are subsidizing "water hogs." There is really no incentive to reduce water use which might reduce the energy required and  costs to produce the potable water. Water use reduction is also an important climate action.  

As of now, I haven't been able to find the proposed rate changes. Calling the utility office didn't help. "Those rates are not out there yet." If anyone can read rate change applications and can find them, please contact so I can add them to the information.

*Here's a scary Stat from The Green Home Technology Center at Ohio State University Extension. "The average water use for United State's citizens is 100 gallons per day. According to the U.S. Agency for International Development, this is four times the minimum water requirement for a good quality of life (26.4 gallons). At home the average household uses 120,000 gallons each year (329 gallons per day). Each household could cut more than 60% of their water use with the implementation of water-efficient appliances and practices designed to reduce, reuse, or harvest water."