MASURY, Ohio - The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) will be holding a series of public hearings on proposed water rate increases from Aqua Ohio in several communities, including Masury.

According to a press release, Aqua is seeking to increase its annual revenues for water service in applicable service areas by $13.4 million, which equates to 16.4%.

Aqua Ohio spokesperson Jeff LaRue says the closest customers to the Mahoning Valley that would be affected by these increases are Aqua's 1,600 customers Masury.

LaRue says the rest of Aqua's Mahoning County customers are covered by locally negotiated rates, so they will not be affected by these increases.

Customers can ask questions and voice their concerns about these proposed increases at one of three public hearings. Two of them will take place in person in Columbus and Marion, but a third will take place virtually via Microsoft Teams at 6 p.m. on Thursday, January 29.

Masury customers can register for and access the virtual meeting by clicking here. You can also register by calling (800)-686-7826.

If you can't make it to any of the hearings, you can submit comments online, or mail them to 180, E. Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43215. Comments should include the case numbers 25-593-ST-AIR, 25-594-WW-AIR and 25-595-WW-ATA.