MASON — Customers will not only avoid a 30 percent increase on their water bills next year if Mason reaches a deal to have Cincinnati Water Works take over water operations, but they could see their bills decrease.

        Mayor John McCurley said city officials are concerned that Mason's main water source, Shaker Creek Aquifer, will not be able to handle the growth in the city.

        Mason's population has almost doubled since 1990, to 22,016,according to the 2000 Census, making it Ohio's second-fastest-growing city.

        “It's very important that we have a reliable water source,” the mayor said. “We need to be prepared so that if some good high-tech industry or other things that are attractive to the city are interested in Mason, they need to know that there is sufficient water for them to move here.”

        The deal between Mason and Cincinnati Water Works (CWW) appears imminent.

        “The contract has not been signed, but we're moving in that direction,” the mayor said.

        A 30 percent increase is what customers face if the city keeps the water system, but the change could result in a decrease of some 11 percent. The average residential water bill in Mason is $19.

        Finance director Jennifer Heft said existing customers will see few changes. She said the only change is that the bills would come from CWW, not Mason. CWW also would bill for sewer, garbage collection and storm water, meaning customers would still get only one utility bill.

        About half of Mason lies in the city's south service area, which is already supplied with up to 5 million gallons of water per day it buys from CWW.

        A public hearing about the potential agreement will be held at 7 p.m. Nov. 12 in City Council chambers at the municipal building, 202 W. Main St.

        If an agreement is approved, CWW would operate and maintain the city's water production, distribution system and supporting operations to the water plant, as well as take over billing, handle new installations and customer service.

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