PVIA approves raising rates

By KEN MILAM

Poteau Valley Improvement Authority board members voted Monday night to raise its rates 10 cents per 1,000 gallons as they approved the 2022-223 budget.

The increase brings the water provider’s base rate to $1.70 per 1,000 gallons.

PVIA provides treated water to most of the communities in LeFlore County and a few outside the county. The rate hike means residents in some communities may have the increase passed along to them.

The amount budgeted for salaries — $600,000 — was increased 17 percent in the new budget, including hiring additional employees. Base pay is $14 per hour.

• PVIA will requisition 2,713,000,000 gallons of water, a 4.7-percent increase from the fiscal year 2021-22 budget.
• PVIA is expecting a water requisitioned revenue of $4,816,950, an 11-percent increase.
• The chemicals are budgeted to cost $800,000, a 16-percent increase.
• The cost of electricity to run PVIA operations will cost $800,000, also a 16-percent increase.
• Testing and lab supplies cost is projected to be $60,000, a 50-percent increase.
• Total operating revenue is projected to be $4,622,100.
• Total expenses are projected to be $3,363,200, a 10.7-percent increase.
• Total net income is projected to be $1,258,900.

Engineer David Wyatt was given the go-ahead to test using chlorine dioxide to help reduce trihalomethanes trihalomethanes, which have been an ongoing problem for several months.

Wyatt said tests at the Arbuckle plant showed a 30 percent reduction in THMs.

He said PVIA has most of the equipment needed, and the analyzer would cost $1,600 if the method is eventually approved.

The board renewed a $6,300 contract with the Oklahoma Water Resources Board and a $60,700 contract with U.S. Geological Survey, both of which deal with high- and low-flow monitoring and testing.