Making rates more equitable for customers, the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) today approved revenue-neutral uniform rate restructuring for Florida Community Water Systems, Inc. (FCWS). FCWS owns 10 water and four wastewater systems in Brevard, Lake, and Sumter Counties.
In February 2022, a corporate reorganization renamed all 14 systems FCWS, with no change in ownership. In November 2022, FCWS petitioned the PSC to unify rates. FCWS serves 2,005 water customers in systems formerly named Black Bear, Brendenwood, Brevard, Harbor, Jumper Creek, Lake Idlewild, Lakeside, Pine Harbour, Raintree, and The Woods. FCWS serves 390 wastewater customers in systems formerly named Harbor, Jumper Creek, Lakeside, and The Woods.
Consolidating rates to make them uniform across the 14 FCWS systems will eliminate a wide rate disparity, equalize operating costs, and provide rate stability for customers. The combined revenue requirement used for restructuring rates is $1.2 million for water and $248,255 for wastewater.
New monthly rates for all water customers using 6,000 gallons will be $26.60, reflecting a rate reduction for all but one FCWS system. New monthly rates for all wastewater customers using 6,000 gallons will be $79.08, reflecting a rate reduction for all but two FCWS systems. The approved rates will not be implemented until after FCWS customers receive a PSC-approved customer notice.
Four FCWS systems—formerly Black Bear, Brevard, Lakeside, and Harbor—were found to be overearning, allowing these water and wastewater customers to receive refunds totaling $84,307 and $12,967, respectively. FCWS must submit a report to the PSC after all administrative aspects of the refund are completed.
In June, the PSC held a virtual customer meeting on the FCWS’s rate restructuring request.
For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.
