BATON ROUGE, La. (KLFY) -- The Louisiana Public Service Commission has ruled that Magnolia Water can raise its rates effective Sept. 1. 

The commission approved the increase at its business and executive session on Wednesday, allowing Magnolia to raise their water rates 7% and sewer rates 5%.  

Many Acadiana residents who get their services from Magnolia will now see the flat rate for water increase from $69 to $76 a month, which is the highest in the state.

According to the LPSC, Magnolia Water is owned by a holding company headquartered in Des Peres, Missouri that serves customers in 34 parishes in Louisiana, including Acadia, Iberia, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary and Vermilion.

A motion by the law firm representing the utility asking for the increase reported the commission received 23 notices of protest of the proposed increase representing 18 different addresses served by Magnolia.

The motion requesting the increase cited "Magnolia’s significant financial commitment and stellar operational and regulatory performance" and that the request was "in the public interest."

“(I)t is important that Magnolia be allowed to continue its endeavors of purchasing and rehabilitating Louisiana's failing water and wastewater systems,” the motion read.

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