PUBLIC INPUT REQUESTED ON AWA RATE ADJUSTMENT PROCESS
Public Workshop, Tuesday, August 26, 6:30 pm, Amador County Administration Center
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Larry McKenney, General Manager Amador Water Agency, 209-223-3018
(Sutter Creek) The Amador Water Agency Board of Directors will hold an evening public workshop to
receive input from AWA customers and stakeholders in advance of anticipated adjustments to AWA
water and wastewater rates later this year.
The meeting will be held Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at 6:30 pm in the Amador County Board of
Supervisors’ Chambers and by videoconference on Zoom.
AWA General Manager Larry McKenney will review progress on improvement projects included in the
Agency’s 2021 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan and the priority projects needed in the next five
years to address health, safety, and reliable service to current customers.
AWA faces a number of operational and funding challenges that have contributed to the need for
infrastructure investment today. The most urgent actions in the updated 2025 Capital Improvement
Plan include 50 projects identified in an updated Master Plan Study of all AWA facilities, with an
estimated cost of $141 million. This is not affordable, so the AWA Board must make hard choices
when setting rates.
The workshop will also present information on how multi-year financial plans for water and
wastewater services are designed. The public will then have an opportunity to ask questions and
comment on the rate study process and the Agency’s Master Plan Study findings.
Rate studies are conducted according to industry standards to ensure that a utility’s financial
health is maintained, that the Agency is setting a course toward meeting future financial
obligations, and is in compliance with state law. By state law, water and wastewater rates cannot
exceed the cost of service, including investments that will create a reliable, sustainable water
system.
The industry standard is to perform comprehensive rate studies every three to five years; AWA’s
last study was in 2021. The rate study is being performed by a third-party consultant that
specializes in setting utility rates.
The meeting agenda and video link are available at AmadorWater.org.
# # # #