Notice Public Hearing and Public Comment Period

Suburban Water, Inc., d/b/a Suburban Water Company (Suburban Water), has filed an application with the Kansas Corporation Commission (Commission) requesting a $296,280 increase in rates for water service representing an annual revenue increase of approximately 28.1%. A customer using 7,000 gallons per month will see its monthly bill increase by $19.15.

Suburban Water is a privately-owned water public utility serving approximately 1,530 residential and small commercial customers in Leavenworth County, Kansas, with offices located at 1216 N. 155th Street, Basehor, Kansas.

In its application, Suburban Water stated the $296,280 increase is necessary to recover the increase in the normal cost of service items such as operating and maintenance expenses and payroll and employee benefit expenses which have increased since March 2007. It is also seeking to recover the 7.5% increase in the cost of water under its Board of Public Utilities, an administrative agency of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas (BPU), water supply contract that went into effect on January 1, 2012. The Company is also seeking approval of its contract amendment with BPU and a Purchase Water Adjustment tariff that would allow the utility to pass through future water supply costs to customers without having to file a general rate case. Suburban Water's last general rate case was filed in 2007.

A comparison of the current and proposed rates is as follows:

¹Current customer charge includes first 1,000 gallons usage, proposed customer charge does not include first 1,000 gallons usage.

REGULATORY RESPONSIBILITY

The Commission regulates public utilities including home telephone, natural gas, electric and water companies, as well as motor carriers, oil and gas pipeline, and oil and gas producers. The Commission's regulatory oversight of public utilities primarily pertains to rates and terms of service. In order to ensure that customers of regulated utilities are provided sufficient and efficient service at just and reasonable rates, utilities may not change their rates without Commission approval.

PUBLIC HEARING

The Commission has scheduled a public hearing to provide Suburban Water customers an opportunity to ask questions and make comments about the proposal. The public hearing is scheduled as follows: Tuesday, February 21, 2012, beginning at 6:00 p.m., Community Library, 1400 North 158th Street, Basehor, Kansas 66007.

Any person requiring special accommodations at the hearing under the Americans with Disabilities Act needs to provide notice to the Commission at least 10 days prior to the scheduled hearing by calling: (785) 271-3140.

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

Suburban Water customers who are unable to attend the public hearing may submit written comments. The Commission will accept written comments from Suburban Water's customers through May 1, 2012. Comments regarding this case should reference Docket No. 12 SUBW 359 RTS and may be e mailed to public.affairs@kcc.ks.gov or sent to the Kansas Corporation Commission, Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, 1500 S.W. Arrowhead Road, Topeka, Kansas 66604 4027.

EVIDENTIARY HEARING

An evidentiary hearing has been scheduled for May 7, 2012, through May 9, 2012, beginning at 9:00 a.m. in the Commission's First Floor Hearing Room, 1500 SW Arrowhead Road, Topeka, Kansas 66604 4027. At this hearing, the Commission Staff, Citizens' Utility Ratepayer Board (CURB), company representatives, and any interveners will present their cases to the Commission.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

A complete copy of Suburban Water's application and supporting testimony is available on the Commission's website at: http://www.kcc.ks.gov, searching Docket Filings for Docket No. 12 SUBW 359 RTS. If you need additional assistance or more information about the proposed rate increase or how to submit public comments to the Commission, contact the Commission's Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at 1-800-662-0027, or at .