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FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. -- Customers may see higher water prices in Darien, part of Danbury, Easton, Fairfield, Greenwich, Norwalk's 1st and 2nd Taxing Districts, New Canaan, Redding, part of Ridgefield, Stamford, Weston, Westport and Wilton, as Aquarion Water Co. of Connecticut seeks a rate hike.
Aquarion notified the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority late last month of its intent to request a 16.9 percent increase in the water rates for customers in the 47 cities and towns it serves in the state, according to a statement on its website.
The increase, which would result in an additional 24 cents per day on an average customer’s bill, reflects an overall rate increase of 16.8 percent, or $26.9 million.
“Aquarion takes its responsibility to the 625,000 people we serve very seriously,” said Chuck Firlotte, president and CEO. “Maintaining our commitment to reliably deliver clean, safe water calls for prudent investment in critical infrastructure across our service territory.”
A typical family of four uses about 200 gallons of water a day for cooking, washing, laundry and other uses, he said.
“We are proud of the fact that we provide our customers with high quality water while maintaining an extremely efficient and cost effective operation,” said Firlotte.
Since the company’s last general rate filing, Aquarion has invested more than $143 million in critical water utility infrastructure to maintain and operate water sources and to deliver safe, clean water to customers’ homes and workplaces.
This rate application is necessary to meet the needs and requirements of a modern, reliable water infrastructure system, consistent with ever-increasing health and environmental regulatory standards. And while we have worked hard to achieve industry-leading efficiencies, there are key investments and expense requirements that must be made to ensure preservation of public health and fire protection, he said.
Comments (2)
I have ALWAYS been against privatizing natural monopolies. This is my number one reason. A profit seeking business willl always require higher rates than government employees, and no you do NOT get any better water, or electricity, or roads once it is privatized.
It seems very extreme for a rate hike in this economy for a for-profit water utility. Most public agencies are seeking less than 3% increases with as great as an investment in the infrastructure as Aquarion states. Please comment to the DEEP/DPUC to curb your water rate hike (especially since the Hurricane Sandy response has been less than stellar for the environment).