Lawmaker Opposes Proposed Water Rate Hike

ENFIELD, CT — State Sen. John A. Kissel is urging state utility regulators to carefully review Connecticut Water Company’s proposed 21 percent rate increase, which could affect customers in six Northern Connecticut towns.

The request, pending before the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, would raise rates by about $29 million, according to an emailed release from Kissel’s office.

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If approved, the proposal would add an average of about $15.54 per month to a residential customer’s bill. Connecticut Water customers in East Granby, Ellington, Enfield, Somers, Suffield and Windsor Locks would be affected.

Kissel, an Enfield Republican, said he supports investment in safe and reliable water infrastructure but called the proposed increase too steep for households already facing higher costs.

The increase has not been approved. PURA is accepting public comments on the case through Sept. 15.

Residents may submit comments by email to PURA.ExecutiveSecretary@ct.gov or through PURA’s public-comment process. Comments should include the docket number, name and home address, but should not include account numbers, phone numbers or other personal information.

PURA has also scheduled public comment hearings at 5:30 p.m. on July 29 at Thompson Public Library in North Grosvenordale; Aug. 10 at East Hampton Town Hall; and Aug. 26 during a virtual hearing.

For more Northern Connecticut news, follow Patch editor Jay Kenney.