Editor's Note: We received word today that Aqua Texas is seeking to expand its service into an approximate 50-acre area about .2 miles northwest of "downtown" Woodcreek. (See copy of notice below, edited for length). By law, Aqua must publish its application to the state to amend its Certificate of Convenience and Necessity in the classifieds section of a newspaper within the general area of the expansion. We thought we'd lend Aqua a hand in getting the word out, just in case the legal notice fails to appear in a local newspaper read by the local folks affected. If you're an enterprising sort, be on the lookout for a "Westridge Legal Notice," or something to that effect, in Hays County newspapers, or farther out, (with general circulations outside of Woodcreek and Wimberley). We're hoping Aqua does not go down the road of trying to camouflage its intentions.Has anybody got any idea where "downtown" Woodcreek is? We're stumped.
For more details and questions, contact Glen Lewis, Aqua's Corporate Development Coordinator in Austin at 512.990.4400 Ext. 104, or shoot Glen an e-mail . . . gelewis@aquaamerica.com
___________________
AND NECESSITY (CCN) TO PROVIDE WATER
UTILITY SERVICE IN HAYS COUNTY, TEXAS
Aqua Utilities, Inc. dba Aqua Texas, Inc., has filed an application to amend CCN No. 11157 with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to provide water utility service in Hays County.
The proposed utility service area is located approximately 0.2 miles northwest of downtown Woodcreek, Texas, and is generally bounded on the north by Coleman Canyon Road; on the east by Mount Sharp Road; on the south by Warblers Lane; and on the west by Elm Street. The total area being requested includes approximately 50 acres and 0 current customers. The proposed amendment affects customers and/or areas located in the following zip colde: 78676.
A copy of the proposed service area map is located at Aqua Texas, Inc., 1106 Clayton Lane, Suite 400W, Austin, Texas 78723 or by calling 512/990-4400.
A request for a public hearing must be in writing. You must state (1) your name, mailing address, and daytime telephone number; (2) the applicant's name, application number of another recognizable reference to this application; (3) the statement, "I/we request a public hearing"; (4) a brief description of how you or the persons you represent, would be adversely affected by the granting of the application for a CCN; and (5) your proposed adjustment to the application or CCN which would satisfy your concerns and cause you to withdraw your request for a hearing.
Persons who wish to intervene or comment should write the:
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
Water Supply Division
Utilities and Districts Section, MC-153
P. O. Box 13087
Austin, TX 78711-3087
Water Supply Division
Utilities and Districts Section, MC-153
P. O. Box 13087
Austin, TX 78711-3087
within thirty (30) days from the date of this public notice
[snip]
If you are a landowner with a tract of land at least 25 acres or more, that is partially or wholly located within the proposed area, you may request to exclude the tract from the proposed area (or "opt out") by providing written notice to the Commission within (30) days from the date that notice was provided by the applicant.
[snip]
11 comments:
Oh no, the water corporation version of the too-big-to-fail banks wants to expand and waste more of our local water with cheap infrastructure and naive captive customers. Let's just keep on playing the monopoly game of "Screw the Consumer" or even "Predator."
Left the Right Behind must have a problem with big corporations. I don't know why. I love being overcharged, voice mail systems that don't understand English, spending more money on lobbyists than their customer service, billing errors, and taking forever to respond to a complaint. Get a life LRB.
According to Aqua Texas, "downtown Woodcreek" -- referred to in the Notice -- is the area where Aqua Texas' biggest water leak emanates from. Their solution is to install a snow-cone franchise just about it so the leaking water can be frozen, shaved and flavored -- and then sold to their own water customers. Of course they promise to lower water rates in Woodcreek if the sno-cone venture is profitable. This is confidential info straight from the top.
You can bet the TCEQ will rubberstamp the request as always. Funny, I never heard any request when they extended their ”service” across RR12 to the Baptist Church and the new gated Community development, Oak Orchard Enclave. If you live in the proposed coverage area, scream bloody murder to the TCEQ. Check with any of their customers and you will scream even louder.
Here are some ad phrases Aqua Texas should consider:
1) Waterboarding the old fashion
way.
2) Golden showers is our specialty
3) You can lead a person to water,
and you make him really pay to
drink.
4) We redefine what it means to
"take a leak."
(These ads are not the responsibility of this blog nor does this blog in anyway endorse these ads - except # 3)
Aqua Texas is reportedly leaking some 80 million gallons of water per year and no telling how much sewage in Woodcreek North. They are on notice from the Hays Trinity Groundwater District to bring the situation into compliance with Rule 9 or face stiff penalties. They would have to reduce their leaks from 50% to 15%. They have complained that they can’t fix all the leaking pipes because of the expense and are appealing the order by the HTGCD. Yet, they continue to spend more money to expand their service area. They charge extremely high fees for their “service” and even are allowed by the TCEQ to bill their customers for their legal expenses from past litigation with their customers.
Enough is enough, the TCEQ needs to rein these clowns in or the Texas Attorney General should investigate the TCEQ and Aqua Texas. This is the most absurd case of arrogance and legal extortion in Texas history.
What Don complains about is exactly the way publicly-traded water companies do business. The CEO of Aqua America, AT's parent company, stated on CNBC a couple years back that their "market" was small, rural communities (i.e. defenseless, without the legal power to fight them as needed). And since the State regulators are in the company's pockets (until they show us otherwise), our best long-term recourse is an organized effort to not buy the homes in any new sub-divisions AT will be involved in. This would send a message to the developers, real estate agents, and the bought local politicians -- looking for quick and easy (and ultimately irresponsible) water solutions -- that they will be making a costly mistake if they use Aqua Texas for its water.
And now that the "Idiot 5" on the US Supreme Court has redefined America as the "United Corporations of America", our battle with the irresponsible wing of the corporate power structure and their owned politicians is just beginning.
Each expansion Aqua is allowed to make adds to the value of their local franchise, thus making them too expensive to purchase by local governmental entities, e.g. city of Woodcreek, Hays County, et.al. Heck, Hays County is already up to its eyeballs in debt, thanks to the road bonds.
It would be terrific, but not likely, for Woodcreek to muster the dough to buy them out at the end of their service contract next year and be rid of the beast once and for all. Before then, Aqua should not be allowed to expand its service or pump additional groundwater until they have severely cut back on their gargantuan-size waste. Woodcreek should start taxing them for every wasted gallon of groundwater.
Imagine the money Aqua will be spending on their high priced attorneys fighting Rule 9 of the HTGCD for waste reduction. That's money they could use to fix their damn leaky system.
It's clear to see where Aqua's priorities are, and they certainly are not conservation or following the principles of good community partner.
Fubar.
Left the Hate Behind said... “our best long-term recourse is an organized effort to not buy the homes in any new sub-divisions AT will be involved in. This would send a message to the developers, real estate agents, and the bought local politicians”
Excellent! Ill go you one better. I have thought about placing signs at the entrance to the various neighborhoods served by ATI, such as;
WARNING!
DO NOT BUY A HOME HERE OR YOU WILL
REGRET IT! THIS AREA SERVED BY AQUA-TEXAS
Alternately, a warning letter place in the “Take One” boxes for new homes.
No, Don, I strongly disagree with the recommendation in your second comment. Such actions would unnecessary punish existing homeowners in Woodcreek 1 & 2 and Mountain Crest, among others, who are already victims of Aqua Texas. The key is to stop further expansion by Aqua Texas (AT) in this area, putting the skids on any future profitability growth for AT and its distant "parent."
Regarding the existing Aqua Texas service areas, a concerted water conservation effort and even retrofitting rain water collection - when practical and affordable - would further limit AT's profits. Whatever the methods, if AT sees effective citizen action reducing water use which affects profits, the parent company of AT, Aqua America, may be open to selling the existing service area assets. It is what they do, since corporations ultimately have no heart or soul.
Finally, in addition, the local developers and real estate interests also need to realize Hay County residents mean business when it comes to our water. We should also organize potential boycotts against real estate brokers and their agents who agree to sell newly constructed homes in new or planned AT contracted developments. And I mean boycott all services of these real estate agencies. No sale listings, no buying homes, and refusing to recommend these agencies and their agents to colleagues, friends, and family. Unlike a Wall Street firm, these folks have a heart, a soul, and hopefully a brain.
We need to all work together. In fact, I have already decided that I will only give my planned house for sale listing contract this coming summer to a real estate agent who I believe is concerned about maintaining the remaining environmental integrity of Hays County.
It is not personal; it is the business of our way of life.
Ok the first problem with this is that you and I know that the TCEQ is going to give them the okay. The "IDIOTS" up at the state capital won't control TCEQ so we have no chance in (you know what) to ever get our way. by the way on the second problem I want to know how can a wife and husband who one works for TCEQ and the other for ATI and for the same area can sleep at night knowing their neighbors are beening screwed. Don't think I will have them over for dinner. although I could charge them the amount of my water bill.
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