Falls Church 8% Water Increase - Another Missed Notification to Colonies Co-Owners from Management

The City of Falls Church Water Utility serves The Colonies approved an 8% increase in its water rates at its meeting Monday, September 12, 2011 per a News Release dated Tuesday, September 13, 2011 (http://www.fallschurchva.gov/Content/NewsMedia/2011Releases/Sept/WaterRateIncrease2011Sept13.pdf). 

This rate increase will affect The Colonies bottom line finances which ultimately will affect each co-owner.  With the $480/month amount co-owners pay in condo fees, it is not asking a lot for Colonies Management to post notices such as this or Tysons Corner area Metrorail development news on the lobby bulletin boards.  The Colonies Management posting these news items that ultimately affects the community on the bulletin boards located in each building's lobby avoids a barrage of questions at such events as the Annual Budget Hearing.

I have been told by co-owners who have lived in The Colonies that years ago, Maintenance used to do inspections of each unit for water leaks; A water efficiency study has not occurred in at least five (5) years.  The Water/Sewer Utilities amount spent for 2010 was $142,507 and with this 8% increase commencing October 1, that increase could mean 2011's amount being as much as $145,357 (that is just a minimal estimate based on 2010's figure with one quarter at 8% increase).  The Colonies Crier Newsletter lists each month:

WATER SENSORS available at the Office for $18 including battery. This device comes in very handy in  detecting a leak in time to prevent extensive damage.

It is unlikely The Colonies is selling out of their inventory on those water sensor devices and there are numerous co-owners and residents alike who do not even read The Colonies Crier.  Listing the website of the water sensor device so those co-owners and residents curious about more information would be helpful. 



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Thursday, September 22, 2011 Update:

An article cited in today's McLean Patch:
Fairfax, Falls Church Battle Over Water Rates Affecting McLean Residentshttp://mclean.patch.com/articles/fairfax-county-agency-proposes-reducing-water-rates

The Colonies borders Falls Church (Westgate Elementary School, the current Polling Place Location for registered Colonies resident voters at 7500 Magarity Road is considered Falls Church) and directly across Magarity Road is Falls Church.


Additionally, cited in the article is the Report of the Fairfax County Consumer Protection Commission's Review of City of Falls Church Water System: Rates and Capital Improvements
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/consumer/cpc_water_rpt_adopted_9_20_2011.pdf