May 3—St. Joseph residents and businesses will see higher water rates at the end of the month.
The Missouri Public Service Commission agreed to a settlement Wednesday in Missouri American's statewide rate case. Under terms of the PSC order, the average monthly bill will rise by $5 to $7 a month for the typical residential water customer.
Missouri American filed a case with the PSC last year asking for approval to generate about $100 million in additional revenue to recoup the cost of past infrastructure upgrades.
The PSC regulates investor-owned utilities in Missouri. The settlement was reached between the utility and representatives for consumers, businesses and municipalities.
"We are pleased the Missouri Public Service Commission approved the settlement, which was reached after working diligently with the parties to balance affordability with system investments," Rich Svindland, president of Missouri American Water, said in a statement.
The new rates take effect at the end of May.
At a public hearing in January, Missouri American officials said the original rate proposal would raise customer bills by $13 a month, which suggests that the PSC didn't grant the full request.