$1,500 a month for water? Could happen in Kern Co. community
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KEENE, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — Imagine a whole month's paycheck going toward a water bill. That's what Keene-area residents are facing in a potential water rate hike.
"The Keene Water System wants to raise its rates to a new level, which I would say is well beyond what any normal person could afford," said Keene resident Erik Jacobs. "Myself, I calculated what my rates would be, and it would be approximately $1,500 per month."
Eyewitness News checked into that rate, and it’s closer to $1,400 per month – still a drastic jump from what Jacobs is paying now, which is around $300 per month.
Keene Water System, which is owned by Union Pacific Railroad Co., is the only public water supplier in the rural mountainous area east of Bakersfield. The system is proposing a water rate hike at a whopping 291 percent.
Neighbors who spoke with Eyewitness News said they're already hurting from the last water rate hike from 2006. The current proposal has many neighbors scared, and one man said anonymously that he canceled his water and is now getting his supply from the creek in Keene.
The average U.S. water bill is around $50 a month. Right now, in Keene, the customers Eyewitness News talked to said they're already paying around $250 a month.
"They're using the law, which says they're entitled to profit, to jack up the rates so high that no one could possibly afford them,” said Jacobs.
Union Pacific said it's not trying to make a profit. The government in 2010 required Union Pacific to replace the water supply in order to meet the reliability, supply and water quality requirements applicable to water utilities. Union Pacific decided the most cost-efficient way to supply water was to haul water into Keene from Tehachapi.
" ... Union Pacific has borne the entire cost of hauling the water, and we are now seeking to recover the cost of this water through a PUC rate adjustment on a going-forward basis. This rate increase is being sought only to cover the costs of operating the system. Union Pacific does not make a profit operating this system," said Aaron Hunt, a spokesman for Union Pacific, in an email.
Still, neighbors in Keene want a compromise.
"They certainly should compensate the people and come see the people they're hurting," said Jacobs.
The water rate increase proposal is now being considered by the California Public Utilities Commission, which regulates water. Eyewitness News reached out to the commission, but officials could only say that the proposal is being reviewed.
"The Keene Water System wants to raise its rates to a new level, which I would say is well beyond what any normal person could afford," said Keene resident Erik Jacobs. "Myself, I calculated what my rates would be, and it would be approximately $1,500 per month."
Eyewitness News checked into that rate, and it’s closer to $1,400 per month – still a drastic jump from what Jacobs is paying now, which is around $300 per month.
Keene Water System, which is owned by Union Pacific Railroad Co., is the only public water supplier in the rural mountainous area east of Bakersfield. The system is proposing a water rate hike at a whopping 291 percent.
Neighbors who spoke with Eyewitness News said they're already hurting from the last water rate hike from 2006. The current proposal has many neighbors scared, and one man said anonymously that he canceled his water and is now getting his supply from the creek in Keene.
The average U.S. water bill is around $50 a month. Right now, in Keene, the customers Eyewitness News talked to said they're already paying around $250 a month.
"They're using the law, which says they're entitled to profit, to jack up the rates so high that no one could possibly afford them,” said Jacobs.
Union Pacific said it's not trying to make a profit. The government in 2010 required Union Pacific to replace the water supply in order to meet the reliability, supply and water quality requirements applicable to water utilities. Union Pacific decided the most cost-efficient way to supply water was to haul water into Keene from Tehachapi.
" ... Union Pacific has borne the entire cost of hauling the water, and we are now seeking to recover the cost of this water through a PUC rate adjustment on a going-forward basis. This rate increase is being sought only to cover the costs of operating the system. Union Pacific does not make a profit operating this system," said Aaron Hunt, a spokesman for Union Pacific, in an email.
Still, neighbors in Keene want a compromise.
"They certainly should compensate the people and come see the people they're hurting," said Jacobs.
The water rate increase proposal is now being considered by the California Public Utilities Commission, which regulates water. Eyewitness News reached out to the commission, but officials could only say that the proposal is being reviewed.
Let me take a wild guess, the CPUC will come up with a reasonable rate hike i would say around 150%. Good luck with 1000 dollar a month water. Can you say UN agenda 21? Look it up people.
There theft and then there's theft by the water company.l
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This is all intended for one purpose that many - if not all of you, have failed to see. They are doing this to force everyone out. They want the land- and they are going to have it. Follow the money folks.
Mr Jacobs if in fact you are correct about enough water to support then there must be a way to capture and deliver to residents and that means infrastructure and I can help. Call 661-972-3537 as this whole situation seems unfair for the residents in the areas affected and wait isn't Keene in a fire area too so I wonder if home insurance rates may increase once the insurance companies find out there is no direct water delivery for the area. I myself have a well and a tank and I know that helpede my home insurance. at the same time putting in a well and the infrastructure that each resident needs is a very expensive proposition for them. There maybe a solution but I am sure the rail road company doesn't care as they want the money.
Water rates outside all of Kern County's incorporated cities are outrageous! In the Kern River Valley, not only are the average Cal Water Service Co bills well over $100/month, but they too have asked the CPUC for a rate hike. To add insult to injury CalWater charges us a fee to compensate them because we've reduced our water consumption and the "all seeing" CPUC said that would hurt their business (less water = less $$)...ridiculous!
@Fred What is most interesting is that Lake Isabela and Keene are both places where there actually is enough water to support the population. Much of the water from the Tehachapi Pass filters down to Keene, which has a population in the hundreds. The Kern River Valley, quite obviously, has enough water, too.
For more information about the Keene Water System, please see https://www.facebook.com/KeeneWaterSystem
I am a resident of Tehachapi and a registered municipal advisor. This is what happens when there isn't a backboard such as a muni advisor to be able to stop or hinder large companies from taking advantage of ordinary citizens. I am sure no one will call me to help- 661-972-3537