Nelson County board formally objects to Aqua Virginia rate increase; directs administrator to file resolution

Chair J. David Parr and the Nelson County Board of Supervisors approved, as part of the Consent Agenda on March 12, 2024, a resolution directing the County Administrator to file an objection to Aqua Virginia’s pending rate case with the Virginia State Corporation Commission.

The resolution (R2024-16) cites Aqua’s application, Case No. PUR-2023-00073, and states the company seeks an increase in water revenues of approximately $5,214,892 and wastewater revenues of about $1,696,121 — a combined increase of roughly $6,911,013 (about 33.88 percent for water and 21.08 percent for wastewater). Hank Gibb, representing Aqua customers in Nellysford, told the Board the local cohort is roughly 450 customers and that the company’s plan would produce substantially higher bills for some Nelson residents: “Aqua was requesting a statewide revenue increase of 34 percent for water and 21 percent for sewer, which ... was about a $6.97million,” he said, and asked the Board to add Nelson County’s comment in opposition.

The resolution asks the staff of the State Corporation Commission and the Office of the Attorney General Office of Consumer Counsel to examine Aqua’s filings carefully and directs the County Administrator to file Nelson County’s objection with the Commission.

The motion to approve the Consent Agenda (which carried the resolution) was made by Supervisor Jesse N. Rutherford and seconded by Supervisor Ernie Q. Reed; the Board approved the Consent Agenda by acclamation.

Why it matters: if regulators approve Aqua’s proposed increases, household and business water and sewer bills in affected systems could rise substantially. The Board’s filed objection formally places Nelson County among parties asking state regulators to scrutinize the company’s request.

Next steps: the County Administrator is authorized to file the resolution with the Virginia State Corporation Commission; any regulatory schedule and responses will be determined by the Commission’s docketing process.