Blue Granite has an after Christmas deal for you.

Higher rates, that is.

The out-of-state owned water and sewer company wants to raise its rates $11.7 million from $23.5 million to $35.2 million.

This will give it a $3.7 million profit margin.

The company serves parts of Lexington County.

In negotiations with the Office of Regulatory Staff, Blue Granite – formerly controversial Carolina Water Company – sought:

• An average residential rate hike of $7.71 from $14.38 to $22.09 a month, for water “supply” in service area 1. An identical 2nd increase in that area for water “distribution.”

• It also wants to raise sewer service rates in those 2 areas $36.22 a month from $65.08 to $101.30.

Blue Granite wants 2 other charges in service area 2:

• $9.99 a month more from $28.59 to $38.58 for water “supply.”

• An identical 2nd increase in that areas for water “distribution.”

In addition, it wants in both service areas:

• $36.22 a month more from $65.08 to $101.30 for sewer “collection and treatment” but a decrease of $17.91 from $65.08 to $47.10 a month for sewer “collection” only.

Besides negotiations with ORS, Blue Granite is also talking with state Consumer Affairs, Building Industry Association and homeowners association officials.

The Public Service Commission plans hearings on the requests in February.

The water company has a long history of customer complaints and pollution of the Saluda River.

Oak Grove homeowner Jim Manning attended Public Service Commission hearings on the company’s requests for years.

The retired businessman told the Chronicle he felt the commissioners ignored what he and other customers had to say and granted what the company wanted.

“We are being charged exorbitant prices for our water compared to what is charged in other towns,” Lexington resident Peggy Burbage wrote in a letter to The State newspaper.

“Blue Granite wants to nearly double our water bills and it also wants us to help pay for its past mistakes. This is not an acceptable way to do business.”