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Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet
PSC asks utilities to review water shortage plans
FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 7, 2005) – As hot and dry weather continues across the state, the Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) is asking regulated water utilities to review their plans for dealing with water shortages.
PSC Chairman Mark David Goss said the PSC wants to make sure that utilities have made plans to deal with water shortages and that those plans have been updated to reflect changes such as population growth, expanded water systems and other factors affecting both demand and supply.
Goss noted that a number of utilities across Kentucky have experienced water shortages in recent days and have asked customers to curtail usage.
“Most of us take it for granted that water will appear when we turn on the faucet,” he said. “Situations like this remind us that ensuring a safe, adequate and reliable water supply requires planning by utilities and, at times, conservation by customers.
“The problems we’re hearing about are related to the ability of a utility to treat, store and deliver sufficient volumes of water to meet exceptionally high demand during this dry spell,” Goss said. “We are not seeing any indications at this time that there is not enough water in the rivers, streams, lakes and aquifers that are the sources of water supply.”
In a letter sent this week to the 153 water utilities regulated by the PSC, the commission asked utilities to review their ability to meet projected demand for water and to address potential curtailments if shortages occur. The 90 utilities with water shortage response plans on file at the PSC are being asked to review those plans and to update them if necessary. Utilities without water shortage response plans are being asked to submit them to the PSC as soon as possible.
Water shortage response plans may include voluntary or mandatory restrictions on certain water uses, particularly outdoor uses which require high volumes of water, such as watering lawns or washing vehicles. Utilities also may choose to impose higher rates for usage above certain levels during a shortage.
Water shortage response plans are filed in a utility’s tariff – the official schedule of rates and services.
The 153 water utilities under PSC jurisdiction include 122 water districts, 22 water associations and nine investor-owned companies. The PSC does not regulate municipal water utilities or regional water utilities, except for the wholesale rates they charge to provide water to regulated utilities.
Tariffs filed with the PSC are available at the PSC Web site. Tariffs for regulated water utilities may be found at:
http://psc.ky.gov/tariffs/Water/Districts,%20Associations%20%26%20Privately%20Owned/
The PSC is an agency within the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet. It regulates more than 1,500 gas, water, sewer, electric and telecommunication utilities operating in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and has approximately 110 employees.
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