"It was the perfect storm," said Karen Pallansch, the CEO of Alexandria Renew. "

If by 'perfect storm' Pallansch means an obvious cash grab and price gouge, then, yes it was.

What an odd remark to make about something so blatant.

"Her company approved a new rate structure two years ago that was first reflected on bills in October 2011." And...there you have the problem..."her company" approved the new rate structure. Was there any input from city council, residents, businesses, etc?

Thanks for writing about this Dana; I was curious about why the new bill was so steep. How do we weigh in with the Commission to encourage them to reject this increase?

"The spike in the Bay Protection charge is the result of more stringent regulations that call for removing more of the contaminants from the wastewater,"

Drew, would you please follow up with her regarding this? I'd like to know exactly what contaminants they claim they are now removing that they weren't in the past. I'd also like to know the process in which they perform their removal. It's my understanding that the vast majority of contaminants making their way into the bay come via rural areas and not urban centers. Are we footing the bill for Chicken farms in Maryland?

I'm fine to pay more for a cleaner Bay but I suspect in this instance we're paying more for Pallanch's salary.

For starters I haven't heard one word about the treatment plant receiving any upgrades. That would imply that, say, two years ago they had the ability to better treating the wastewater but chose not to?

Something stinks here and it aint the brown water.

Wow. Do us right Rob.

It's not unexpected that costs will rise, but quarterly billing should be abandonned for monthly billing by both companies so as to make it easier for customers to pay those bills.

"The commission has not yet ruled on the rate increase. If the commission rejects it, customers will be credited for the extra charges, said Mary-Jane Atwater, a spokeswoman for Virginia American Water."

Here's an idea: How about we hold on to our money until you get approval for the rate increase?

"It's not unexpected that costs will rise"

It was unexpected by at least 4 of the 5 posters in this thread.

Frankly, I think it's pretty incredible that fresh clean water can be delivered to my house and sanitary waste can be removed from my house for what's a pretty reasonable rate, when you think about it. Most people's cable bills are considerably more than the water bill, and all that's providing are commercials.

Looks like we have our first RENEW troll checking in...

Lawd have mercy. RENEW needs a better communications team.

Tom- I own every piece of plumbing infrastructure from the curb into my house. Renew isn't providing me with pipes, water heaters, tubs, sinks, faucets, shower stalls, stoves, kettles, toilets or any other piece of equipment that lets me 'use' water. You and I've paid for that and it shouldn't factor into what sort of bargain you think you're getting from the folks that provide only the water and wastewater services. The alternative (outhouse) would be miserable for half the year but fine the rest and I've lived on wells for about 6 of my 40 + years. You wouldn't know any diffferent unless there was a record drought.

That the CEO and VP can DOUBLE their compensation packages in one year ought to clue you in that you're getting ripped off.

All we're asking is why the huge increase in cost when their isn't an increase in service.

There seems to be some confusion about the executive compensation numbers I posted. They are for the CEO of American Water, the parent company of Virginia American Water. Not Alexandria Renew. I was griping about the 12.2% rate hike sought by the water company. Not the waste water treatment company, of which I know nothing. American Waterworks, the parent company based in Voorhees, N.J., has terrible work practices, and the National Labor Relations Board in October ruled against the company for illegally cutting workers' benefits at the same time it has sought rate hikes in various states. See this link for an article about the company's troubles with the NLRB:
http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/local/burlington_county_times_news/judge-rules-against-american-water-over-benefits/article_c7436c6d-3e08-50ff-9ea0-ba5f320cdd1e.html

I urge Virginia state lawmakers to soundly reject the 12.2% rate hike sought by the company.

The problem that I have is that we are paying for what could be considered "user fees" for our water. The fees that come from Alexandria Renew each quarter are about 150% higher than the actual water. That's just wrong. These high rates also put a burden on lower income families. You can't get water in Alexandria unless you pay a minimum of $500 per year. That's just too high and it's morally wrong.