The Water Board’s public hearing on the increase will begin at 9:45 a.m. Tuesday at 889 Leilani St. in Hilo. The board’s regular meeting will follow at 10 a.m.
The county Water Board is set to increase its power cost charge from $2.31 to $2.35 per 1,000 gallons.
The 1.7 percent hike requested by the Department of Water Supply is in response to higher energy costs assessed by Hawaii Electric Light Co.
The power cost charge is a direct pass-through of the department’s costs and goes directly to Hawaii Electric Light Co. to cover the costs of pumping water. The Water Board has the authority to adjust the amount every two months as the price of oil fluctuates.
So as gas prices go up, so does the water bill. In January 2009, the power cost charge peaked at $2.38 before plummeting as the nationwide recession reduced the demand for oil.
In October 2010 the power cost charge was at its lowest level — $1.66. Since then the price has increased every two months. If the $2.35 power cost charge is approved it would represent a 42 percent increase since October 2010.
If approved, the increase would mean that a typical family of five, consuming an average of 20,000 gallons of water every two months, would pay a power cost charge of $47, or $23.50 a month.
That is an increase of 40 cents a month.
The Water Board’s public hearing on the increase will begin at 9:45 a.m. Tuesday at 889 Leilani St. in Hilo. The board’s regular meeting will follow at 10 a.m.