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NATCHEZ — The Mississippi Public Service Commission voted 2 to 1 on Tuesday to deny Great River Utility’s request to raise rates in areas where it provides services in Mississippi.

One of those areas is in Morgantown in Natchez, where 300 or so customers are up in arms about the rates they are paying for water and the poor service they receive.

Great River was allowed to increase its rates months before the issue came before the Public Service Commission for approval. In theory, that increase will have to be returned by the company to its customers. However, Great River’s parent company, Central States Water Resources of St. Louis, likely will appeal the commission’s decision in court.

Northern District Commissioner Chris Brown and Southern District Commissioner Wayne Carr voted to deny Great River’s rate increase request. Central District Commission De’Keither Stamps voted in favor of the rate increase.

Customers in Natchez pay a flat rate of $107.99 for water regardless of the amount they use. Further, residents claim they frequently suffer from boil water notices when the system experiences low-pressure incidents, which they said happens often. Customers said the water quality is so poor they do not drink or cook with it.

David Huber of Huber Construction Co. built the water system known as Oakland Water Works when he developed the neighborhood. Huber sold the system to Great River in 2021. Since then, Great River has increased Natchez customers’ rates five times, taking them from $51.40 to $107.99 per month.

In addition to the rate hike that was already enacted, Great River’s request included additional rate increases that would take customers’ monthly water rates to between $157 and $187 per month, said current Natchez customer Denice Jackson-Smith.

“My reaction to this news? Thank God. I am overwhelmed. I am so thankful God knew our residents here could not afford what they are charging for water. Oh, I am so happy,” Jackson-Smith said. “They are robbing us just to increase their profits, and it is hurting the citizens of Morgantown. That’s why I got out, knocked on doors, and talked to other residents out here.”

Jackson-Smith said she understands the water rate battle is not over, and Great River will likely appeal the decision.

“If they do, we will put even more pressure on them. I am grateful to God, and I am going to pray right now. He has seen what we need, and he will take care of us,” she said.

A spokesman for Great River, who was asked to attend a meeting of the Adams County Board of Supervisors on Oct. 21, 2024, admitted the company had not made infrastructure repairs in Natchez since it bought the system.

Further, Great River purchases water that it resells to its Morgantown customers from Natchez Water Works. The spokesman said that water flows through a system of pipes that need to be replaced or repaired.