PUBLIC NOTICE TO ALL CUSTOMERS OF THE SHOREWOOD MUNICIPAL WATER UTILITY
The Shorewood Municipal Water Utility (Utility) has filed an application with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (Commission) to increase water rates. The Utility filed the application because it plans to replace 80 percent of its water system’s service lines and water mains in future years based on system age and lead infrastructure replacement required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Lead and Copper Rule Improvements. The water system improvements will include replacing utility-owned infrastructure (water mains and service lines) and funding the Commission-approved Financial Assistance Program (FAP) for customer-side lead service line (LSL) replacement. The total increase in water revenues includes rates to ensure the ongoing funding of main and service replacements, as well as the FAP. By law, FAP charges are allocated based customer classes accessing the FAP for LSL replacement. The Utility’s last water conventional rate case was completed in 2023.
The total increase in water revenues requested is $432,856 which will result in an estimated overall rate increase of 19.29 percent over the water utility’s present revenues, which would be implemented in two steps. The proposed Step I increase of $636,423, which includes a general service increase of $252,714 (including the public fire protection [PFP] increase) and an annual increase to fund the LSL FAP of $383,709, would take effect following the issuance of the Final Decision. The proposed Step II increase of $816,565, which includes a general service increase of $432,856 (including the PFP increase) and the second annual increase to fund the LSL FAP of $383,709, is compared to current rates and is an additional increase of $180,142 over Step I rates. The Utility would implement the remaining Step II increase of $180,142 when it notifies the Commission in writing that the North Oakland reconstruction project, the South Oakland meter vault replacement project, and the utility components of the Southwest Area LSL replacement program are completed and have been placed into service. The total proposed overall increase is as follows:
If the request is granted, the water bill for an average Residential customer with a ⅝-inch or ¾inch meter who uses 13,000 gallons of water per quarter will increase from $109.67 to $164.79, or 50.26 percent, including PFP and the LSL FAP charge after Step II is implemented. Under the Step I rates proposed in the Exhibit, a typical Single-Family Residential customer’s bill would increase 40.07 percent, including PFP and the LSL FAP charge.
A public hearing on the application has been scheduled for Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. This hearing has no physical location. Parties and Commission staff appear by Zoom. Parties and Commission staff may use the telephone connection as a backup or if no adequate internet connection exists. Members of the public participate by Zoom or may use the telephone connection as a backup or if no adequate internet connection exists.
Join Zoom over the internet at: https://us02web.zoom.us/my/pschearings
The Commission intends to livestream and record this hearing on YouTube. A member of the public may observe without participation any hearing session by:
- Attending any physical location as noticed,
- Watching on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/@PSCWI-Hearings,
- If no adequate internet connection exists, listening by telephone. • Dial: +1 312 626 6799 • Enter Meeting ID: 809 513 2930
A person may testify in this proceeding without becoming a party and without attorney representation. A person may submit this testimony in only one of the following ways:
- Web Comment. File a comment on the internet. Go to the Commission’s web site at http://psc.wi.gov, click the dropdown menu labeled “Commission Action”. Select the item labeled “File a Public Comment”. On the next page select the “File a comment” link that appears for docket number 5440-WR-113. Web comments shall be received no later than Thursday, December 18, 2025.
- Live Comment. Make a live comment at the hearing. The ALJ may receive live comments from any member of the public in attendance after the close of any party and Commission staff testimony. The ALJ will receive such comments by stating the name of each member of the public connected to the hearing one at a time and asking if they would like to comment.
- Mail Comment. Send a comment by U.S. Mail. All comments submitted by U.S. Mail shall be received no later than Thursday, December 18, 2025 and shall be addressed to: Attn: Docket 5440-WR-113 Comments, Public Service Commission, P.O. Box 7854, Madison, WI 53707-7854.
To access the documents, schedule, and other information about this docket, go to the Commission’s web site at http://psc.wi.gov, select the dropdown menu labeled ‘eServices”. Select the item labeled “Docket Search (CMS)”. On the next page enter 5440-WR-113 in the spaces labeled “Case #” and select “Search”. If you have any questions, please contact the Utility at (414) 847-2700.