Some Texans in rural areas face huge rate increases from private water providers, and they are hoping the Legislature will do something about it.

At a hearing Wednesday in Austin, lawmakers on the Senate Natural Resources Committee heard testimony from regulators, water companies and ratepayer groups about proposed changes to address the problem. David Burghard, a Hays County resident, told the committee that his water rates rose more than 200 percent in February.

“I do have a concern that the rates — prices — will have no limits,” he said.

In big cities, local water utilities generally operate water infrastructure and billing ...

Full Story