RISON - The West Saline Water Users Association at New Edinburg announced last Thursday, June 15, that it would be increasing the base water rate by $5 starting with the water provider's July bills.
The West Saline Water Users Association, which provides water for New Edinburg and the surrounding area, issued an email notice last Thursday announcing that the base water rate was increasing from $11.38 to $16.38 for all meters effective with the July billing.
Caleb Parker, water operator for the West Saline Water, said the board recently voted to raise the base rate by $5 in anticipation that other increases may be coming as well.
Act 605 of 2021 requires all public water providers to conduct a rate study before July 1, 2024. The new law also states that the water provider must charge the rates recommended by the rate study or face having the system taken over by the state.
Parker said the Arkansas Rural Water Association has completed its rate study for West Saline and the association is now awaiting the results. He said the West Saline board decided to raise the base rate now in anticipation of having to raise other rates as well.
West Saline is the second public water provider in Cleveland County to announce a rate increase as a result of Act 605. The Rison City Council voted earlier this month to more than double Rison's water usage rates for 1,000 gallons after seeing the results of its water rate study.
The Rison City Council voted to implement its rate increase over a two-year period, which is allowable under the law if there is a rate increase of 50 percent or more.
Parker said the water rates in this region of the state tend to be lower, so he anticipates several water systems will have to increase their rates as well.
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