Blumenthal Blasts Aquarion's Staggering Requested Rate Hike

[HARTFORD, CT] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal today blasted Aquarion Water Company of Connecticut’s staggering proposed 25 percent rate increase and called on the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) to reject the proposal.

Under this proposed rate filing, Aquarion — a subsidiary of Eversource — is preparing to increase its rates by approximately 13.9 percent starting next February, 6.9 percent the next year, and another 4.2 the following year – all total, a 25 percent increase in rates in just three years.

In comments filed on Friday morning, Blumenthal noted that consumers cannot afford to pay more for water, especially given higher gasoline, heating and food costs.  

“Water is an essential resource, like food or shelter.  Yet, significant increases in water rates could result in substantial limits on consumers’ water use.  As proposed, the amended rate schedule would negatively affect all Connecticut Aquarion consumers but would have a disproportionate impact on our state’s most vulnerable residents, including senior citizens, individuals with disabilities, and low- and middle-income households,” Blumenthal said.

Full text of the comments can be found below and here. Video of Blumenthal’s remarks can be found here.

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