Fair Water Texas is proud to announce that we have successfully filed a Letter of Support on behalf of the intervenors in Docket 58124, the Aqua Texas rate case affecting communities across Texas. This filing represents a powerful step forward for residents who are standing up, speaking out, and insisting on fairness in their water and sewer rates.
“Fair Water Texas will continue supporting residents throughout this process—helping them navigate filings, understand deadlines, and make sure their concerns are presented clearly and effectively,” said Joe Gimenez, the founder of Fair Water Texas. “This is what community advocacy looks like: neighbors standing together, insisting on fairness, and making their voices impossible to ignore.”
The intervenors emphasize that:
- Refund and surcharge protections are essential. Without interim rates, Aqua’s proposed rates would take effect automatically on March 9, 2026, and customers would have no right to a refund if those rates are later found excessive.
- The Commission has always used interim rates to safeguard customers. Staff’s appeal correctly notes that interim rates are the standard mechanism that allows the Commission to reconcile over‑collections or under‑collections once final rates are set.
- Allowing unprotected rates to take effect would cause irreversible harm. Customers could pay months of inflated charges that can never be recovered, even if the Commission ultimately reduces Aqua’s rates.
- Intervenors are not taking a position on Aqua’s proposed rates themselves. Their support is focused solely on preserving procedural fairness and ensuring the Commission retains its authority to order refunds or surcharges after final rates are determined.
This filing makes clear that residents are not asking for special treatment—they are asking for the same protections the Commission has always provided. The intervenors’ message is simple: fairness requires refund protection.
By adding their names to this filing, intervenors are helping ensure that the Commission understands the real‑world impacts of Aqua Texas’s proposed rate increase. Their participation strengthens the case for fair, reasonable, and responsible utility oversight.
If you are an Aqua Texas customer and want to stay informed or participate in future filings, Fair Water Texas is here to help. Together, we can make sure the Commission hears the full story.
