Did you know that CSWR/Magnolia Water charges the highest water and sewer rates in the state?
With the majority of their customers falling within the "Tier Two" rates, residents are currently paying a flat rate of $69 per household for sewer services.
Did you know that their commercial rates for sewer are lower than that of households with one or two people? Tier Two commercial customers pay a flat sewer rate of $59.10. The statewide residential average is $32.90.
In all, with more than 77,000 customers in Tier Two, CSWR/Magnolia Water bills more than $63 million for sewer annually—and that’s just Louisiana's Tier Two customers!
See the LPSC document here, and scroll to page 4 for the grand tally. LPSC Sewer Rate Comparisons
When comparing CSWR/Magnolia Water rates with others statewide, it appears that Magnolia Water rates are, on average, at least double that of most of Louisiana—their minimum water fee is $39.76 for metered, $59.43 for non-metered/flat rate. Once again, at $59.43, CSWR/Magnolia Water is the highest billed rate. The statewide average is $18.21.
See the LPSC document here, and scroll to page 6 for Tier 2 info, page 8 for statewide totals. It's interesting to note that the many Tier Two systems are not detailed, but listed as a single line item. LPSC Water Rate Comparisons
Even though CSWR/Magnolia, the monopoly provider of essential services, has the highest rates in the state, they want four more increases for both water and sewer--one in 2025, and three more in 2026, 2027, and 2028.
It's time for Louisiana Public Service Commissioners to say "no" to the monopoly provider of essential services that is, in effect, holding customers hostage. LPSC was elected to serve Louisiana Citizens by regulating monopolies like CSWR/Magnolia Water.
This is outrageous. It appears CSWR/Magnolia Water knowingly buys failing systems to offset profits, with the goal of guaranteed profits through the Formulary Rate Plan established with the LPSC—this means existing customers are subsidizing the new acquisitions. This is not acceptable!
Thank you for signing the petition. Let's strengthen our voices by sharing via email and social media. The link to share is change.org/MagnoliaWaterCustomers.
We've been advised that St. Tammany Parish District 11 Councilman Arthur Laughlin is planning to attend the meeting at which this issue will be decided. We are grateful for his commitment to his constituents, and hopeful that representatives from the 33 parishes CSWR/Magnolia Water serves will join him.
Giving up is not an option!
Note: we have reached out to all five Public Services, their staffs and LPSC Executive Secretary Brandon Frey for clarification as to the Notice of Protest filing procedures, after receiving conflicting info from multiple sources.. None have replied yet.