March 2008 May See United Water Rate Increases

Proposed rate increases are a bit closer to nudging up utility bills for Newtown consumers hooked up to United Water. The rate hikes originally announced in the summer, which work out to an estimated 47 cents a day or approximately $14 per month for average customers who use 200 gallons daily, will be reflected on bills as soon as March 2008 as United Water waits for the Department of Public Utility Control, DPUC, to complete final reviews.

United Water Connecticut rates will rise for the first time in nearly 15 years, as noted in a newsletter mailed to customers during the summer. Coming recently in the mail was an updated draft discussing the process the water company had completed with the DPUC.

As noted in the letter, “water remains at an exceptional value.” The company’s calculations estimate that the average residential customer using 200 gallons a day would see an increase of $42 per quarter, which is $14 per month or 47 cents daily. Should the DPUC grant the hike in full, the letter states, “The typical United Water customer would pay about $1.64 for a day’s worth of water, which is less than the cost of one gallon of bottled water. Customers have their water brought to their tap every day for less than a penny gallon.”

The increase is necessary to cover the cost of investments made during the past 15 years. The letter explains, “Investments were made to improve your water quality through $3 million of investment in pumping treatment. Another $9 million has been invested to replace transmission mains and another $2 million to improve customer service operations, including replacement of meters…The increases will help the company continue to make investments to maintain compliance with stringent health regulations, along with needed infrastructure replacements and improvements that help provide safe and adequate service.”

Consumers can write to the DPUC at 10 Franklin Square New Britain CT 06051. Customers can also e-mail comments to dpuc.executivesecretary@po.state.ct.us. Refer to docket 07-05-44. Also, contact United Water by writing to the above address or by calling 860-354-4118 or 203-426-2430. United Water serves the Route 25 corridor, and parts of Route 302 and Church Hill Road.