By Haylee Pence
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was updated to reflect the difference between the GreatBlue Research, Inc. customer service survey with city of Piqua utility customers and a separate study done to compare costs between neighboring jurisdictions.
PIQUA – The city of Piqua conducted an annual rate survey comparing utility costs for 2022 with 64-67 jurisdictions included in the study. The study was previously conducted by the city of Oakwood.
The water and sewer rates for Piqua are the same in 2022 as in 2021.
The water rate cost for Piqua was found to be $287 based on 22,500 gallons of water for a three-month period. The sewer rate cost for Piqua was found to be $264 based on the same criteria. The combined rates are $551.
For the combined rates with 64 jurisdictions, Piqua was ranked the second highest behind Yellow Springs. For the sewer rates with 64 jurisdictions, Piqua was ranked the fourth highest. For the water rates with 67 jurisdictions, Piqua was ranked second highest.
City officials explained the reason the city of Piqua has higher utility rates is due to the city of Piqua having the newest facilities.
“In Piqua, water and sewer rates rose from 2017-2020, due largely to help finance the construction of a new Water Treatment Plant and a new Wastewater Treatment Plant,” according to a city representative. “Each of these projects were approximately $50 million each.”
“Rates have not increased in 2021 and 2022 because of efficiencies seen with the new facilities and the 2017-2020 rate increases,” stated the city representative in response to why the rates have not increased.
In other news:
The City of Piqua’s Utility Business is currently conducting a Utility Customer Survey collaborating with GreatBlue Research, Inc.
The survey is to measure customer satisfaction levels and to gather their opinions about the City of Piqua utilities Customers who submit responses in the survey are “eligible to win one of twenty $25 Amazon gift cards,” according to the city’s website. This survey is not gathering information on the cost of utilities.
“The Utility Business Office is working to improve technology, communication, and payment options for utility customers and would really appreciate input from citizens to inform the process. We are really excited to hear from our customers,” stated City of Piqua Utility Business Office Manager RJ Monnier.
GreatBlue Research, Inc., a professional research firm located in Glastonbury, Ct., will conduct the survey. As required by the Code of Ethics of the National Council on Public Polls and the United States Privacy Act of 1974, GreatBlue Research, Inc. maintains the anonymity of respondents to surveys the firm conducts. No information will be released that might, in any way, reveal the identity of the respondent.
Customers can access the digital survey by visiting https://piquaoh.org/city-departments/utility-business-office/utility-customer-survey/ and clicking the survey link, scanning the QR code on flyers mailed with customers’ utility bills and posted at the Utility Business Office – 201 W. Water St., Piqua, Ohio, or directly at www.tinyurl.com/PiquaVoiceofCustomer.
For more information, visit piquaoh.org.
