Public Can Protest Aquarion's Proposed Rate Hikes Tuesday

The town of Fairfield intends to make its objections known to Aquarion Water Company, which has proposed an 18.3 percent rate increase for residential water usage next year.

The company has put forward a plan to increase rates over the next three years, including that first hike, plus an 18.4 percent bump next year for public authority and commercial water usage, and a 9 percent increase for public fire water use. The plan calls for 1.8 and 1.9 percent increases in the second and third years, respectively.

First Selectman Michael Tetreau encourages residents at attend a public hearing Tuesday to voice concerns regarding the proposed increases. The hearing, hosted by the state's Public Utilities Regulator Authority (PURA), is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. in the first floor conference room in Sullivan Independence Hall (725 Old Post Road).

Aquarion notified PURA of the proposed increases in February. PURA is statutorily charged with regulating the rates and services of Connecticut’s investor-owned electricity, natural gas, water, and telecommunication companies.

The rate increase is needed to offset $143 million in water utility infrastructure improvements, according to Aquarion's website.

A final decision on the proposed rate hike is expected to be made in August. If passed, Fairfield residents, the town, fire department, and businesses would incur the costs starting in September.

Any resident can attend to voice his or her opinions. A transcriptionist will record statements and provide them to Aquarion.

"The town will be submitting our objections to these excessive increases," Tetreau said.

The proposed rate hikes would, if approved, affect 46 other Connecticut municipalities. Tetreau has reached out to other first selectmen and mayors to "encourage them to let PURA know of any objections they may have."

"I am hoping that a collaborated effort will help to mitigate the final rate increases,” Tetreau said.

There are three more hearings scheduled. Any resident who cannot make Fairfield's hearing may attend one of the following:

• Monday, June 24, at Mystic Middle School at 6:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, June 25, at Torrington City Hall at 6:30 p.m.
• Monday, July 8, at Simsbury Senior Center at 6:30 p.m.

Or, residents may send a statement as soon as possible to PURA.executivesecretary@ct.gov

For more information on the rate increases, see Aquarion's website.