CT officials criticize proposed Aquarion rate hike

Connecticut officials are criticizing and vowing to closely scrutinize the Aquarion Water Co. after the Bridgeport-based utility filed a notice of intent with state utility regulators to seek a 27 percent rate increase over the next three years.

Attorney General William Tong and Consumer Counsel Claire Coleman criticized the proposed rate increase Friday after learning of the utility’s filing with the state’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority.

The rate increase is the first that Aquarion has sought since it was acquired by Eversource Energy in 2017, according to Tong.

But Peter Fazekas, Aquarion’s director of corporate communications, said state utility regulators have not reviwed the utility’s rates in nine and a half years.

“Since its last review, Aquarion has invested $740 million in critical infrastructure to ensure the high quality of its customers’ drinking water,” Fazekas said. “Aquarion water rates are among the most affordable in the industry and Connecticut, and will continue to be with its proposed rate schedules.”

The increase Aquarion is proposing would raise rates 13.9 percent in the first year, add a 6.9 percent hike in the second year and 4.2 percent in the final year. The increase in the first year would add $75 to the average Aquarion customer’s annual bill, based on using 60,000 gallons a year, according to Fazekas.

Tong said his office will “vigorously review and scrutinize every aspect of this rate request.”

“The last thing Connecticut families and small businesses need right now is a double-digit water bill hike, on top of steadily mounting surcharges,” he said. “I fully support modernizing our aging water infrastructure, but we need to make sure we are doing it in a way that respects the financial pressures Connecticut families and small businesses are facing right now.”

Coleman said her office will seek “to ensure a just and reasonable outcome” in the rate case.

“Rising water prices are a challenge across the country, and water is becoming increasingly unaffordable for many lowincome households, which presents serious health and safety risks,” Coleman said in a statement. “I am dedicated to fighting for affordable and equitable water rates for all Connecticut residents.”

For customers who are having difficulty paying their water bills, Fazekas said Aquarion has a variety of assistance programs.

Aquarion serves customers in 56 Connecticut towns, primarily in Fairfield and Litchfield counties. The utility also has customers in five Massachusetts communities and seven in New Hampshire.

Aquarion is seeking an 18 percent rate increase in New Hampshire for the utility’s Hampton system, according to Fazekas. The company is awaiting a rate review decision from regulators in that state, he said.