Blendon Township residents spoke about an opposing force that is breaking up their community -- one that destroys everything it touches, smells like chlorine and even leaves chunks behind.

The villain they were referring to is the water provided by Ohio American Water, which provides services to Blendon, Madison, Norwich, Perry, Prairie, Sharon and Truro townships in Franklin County.

Residents spoke for three hours Thursday, Jan. 28, in a packed Faith Covenant Church in Westerville during the Public Utility Commission of Ohio's final public hearing on the company's water rate increase. Listening to residents' testimony was PUCO Attorney Examiner Jeff Jones.

Ohio American Water applied for water and sewer rate increases in June, and its current request is a 27 percent increase for water, with varied increases for sewer, for the next year. The company originally sought increases for 2011-13 but backed off from those demands following pressure from grass-roots organizations and the Ohio Consumers Counsel.

Speaking first at the public hearing was state Rep. Nancy Garland (D-New Albany) of the 20th District, who called the current prices a great burden and opposed any increases.

State Rep. Marian Harris (D-Columbus), who represents the 19th District, said she was shocked while campaigning when one resident asked her what she paid for water. Harris said she paid $76 for three months, while the resident said she paid $120 a month.

"I'll be polite when she said the quality was poor," Harris said.

Harris said one thing she has done in office is to help pass House Bill 344, which limits the recovery of rate-case expenses for water and sewage companies to 50 percent.

"This doesn't solve today's problem, but it will help limit rate increases in the future," she said.

Most of the three hours of testimony came from residents.

"When good people don't want to move in because of water concerns, the community loses," said resident Pam Clegg.

Blendon Township Trustee Stew Flaherty said the rates should not be approved because of what he called poor business practices. Recent reports by the Ohio Consumers Counsel have focused on the company's practices, he said.

Many residents said besides paying twice or three times more for water than their neighbors, they also need to replace fixtures and appliances often. One man said in 30 years he's had to replace his hot water heater five times.

Much of the testimony focused on ways residents saved water. Some said they shower only every three days or take "Navy showers," lathering up with soap before turning on the water. Others said they try to use the toilet only when they were away from home, and still others said they have long given up practices such as watering their gardens, using dishwashers and washing their cars.

"How do you explain to your toddler who is potty-training that you should flush every time, everywhere else (besides home)?" asked resident Margaret Kuda.

During part of resident Sharon Ricker's testimony, she turned around a popular saying.

"Hell and high water have definitely come to us," she said.

Jones said the commission will continue to review the case and no date has been set for a decision.