Crystal Clear Water, Inc. Rate Case: Counterarguments by Robert Payne and Sam Wells

Crystal Clear Water, Inc. (CCWI) rate case has been a topic of controversy, with both parties presenting their arguments before the Public Utility Commission of Texas. Robert Payne, the president of CCWI, and Sam Wells, an intervenor, have exchanged letters on the PUC exchange, each refuting the other's claims. The following is a summary of their arguments and a detailed breakdown of the key takeaways and statistics.

Key Takeaways:

• CCWI's rate increase is justified by the company's own inflationary expenses, which have more than doubled in 5 years, from $13,877.18 to $28,000.00.
• The company's revenue increase is based only on 2023 expenses, and the business plan is focused on addressing priority concerns with available cash in the bank account.
• Intervener Sam Wells has made baseless and inaccurate claims, including allegations of cheating farmers on fertilizer amounts and misleading the PUC on water company expenses.
• Wells' complaints about water leakage and system faults are normal for any water system, and he owns the 14-mile line in question, which he had relocated with consent.
• Wells' assertion about drilling his own well and paying $80K is disputed, and he physically disconnected the line but insisted on continuing to pay the base rate.
• Wells' claims of dishonesty are countered by Robert Payne's questioning of his own dishonesty due to his actions during the last rate case, including trespassing and taking unauthorized photos of the electric wiring and well.

Statistics:

• CCWI's well pump repair costs in 2020: $13,877.18
• CCWI's well pump repair costs in 2025: $28,000.00 (a 100% increase in 5 years)
• Intervener Sam Wells', alleged, 14-mile line of water supply purchase in 1982: $80K
• CCWI's proposed rate increase: $100.00 per customer per month

Sources:

• Control Number - 56824, Item Number - 229: "CCWI Rate Case" by Robert Payne on 2025-05-29
• Control Number - 56824, Item Number - 230: "Refutation of False Accusations" by Sam Wells on 2025-05-29
• Letter and Photos dated 8/24/2020: Item #141, "Unauthorized access to CCWI's property" by Sam Wells