PINEVILLE - Carryn Lee of the Kentucky Rural Water Association presented her study of Pineville's water rate and proposed increase for the third time on Tuesday night, this time to the public. Around 30 people were gathered for the presentation, to voice their opinions of the water rate increase and to ask questions.

There was little indication by any speaker that this meeting would have an effect on the decision to raise rates. The hearing functioned more as an opportunity to educate the public on why a rate increase is necessary.

The last rate increase by the Utility Commission was in 1999. Since that time, the system has expanded to encompass practically all of the county. With the many loans for the different projects and the lack of a steady rate increase, the proposed increase is hefty. Lee addressed that in her presentation, saying that because the rate hasn't changed since 1999, "Now everybody will have to pay for the delay in increasing the rates."

Lee pointed out that water service is a bargain, comparing the price to such luxuries as cable television, cell phone service, internet service and the price of smoking a carton of cigarettes per week. Of all these, she says that water is the only true necessity to survival. A statistic that she presented which got a laugh out of the audience is that, "You can fill an eight-ounce glass with water 15,000 times for the same price as one soda."

Lee and the Utility Commission's manager, Bill Bunch, answered many questions that audience members had. Of those, Bunch explained the cost of sewage and the variations between different cities. He claims that the price variations are due to the different type of systems that may be in place as well as capped billing situations. Bunch went on to say that the water and sewer rates are different and separate entirely.

Audience member Benis Venable had a bevy of questions for Bill Bunch but was eventually quieted by Mayor Bob Madon who said, "Benis, come by tomorrow and I can explain all of this."

Another audience member questioned the board about the amount of water lost due to breaks in water lines, saying, "The problem I have with raising water rates is that I watch water roll out of a six-inch pipe for two hours everyday."

This prompted discussion on the issue. Bunch revealed that in 2006, 17 percent of drinkable, processed water was lost as a result of breaks in water lines. This equates to approximately 330 million gallons lost. The problem, according to Bunch, is that the Utility Commission is understaffed. In fact, he claims that he could assign a team to only fix leaks in the system, and the team could do that all day, everyday. Lee confirmed to the audience that a 17 percent loss is normal, although 15 percent is what utilities should strive for.

The hearing was adjourned without much more outcry other than persistent questioning; discussion about the proposed rate increase is expected to be ongoing.

Brandy L. Murray is a Staff Writer for the Daily News. She can be reached via e-mail at bmurray@middlesborodailynews.com.