Southbury's Heritage Village Residents Could Face Huge Sewer Fee Increase

Representative Arthur J. O’Neill (R-69) has registered his opposition to a proposal which would mean a significant increase in the rates paid by residents of Southbury’s Heritage Village for sewer and water services. The Heritage Village Water Company is asking the state’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) to allow an increase of 73.2% for its sewer customers. The company says it is needed to offset a government-mandated upgrade to its treatment facility. In addition, they are seeking a 5.07% increase in water rates.

As the only private investor-owned sewer system in the state of Connecticut, Heritage Village Water Co. is the only sewer system regulated by PURA. A public hearing process is required before PURA will issue a ruling on the request.

O’Neill sent a letter to PURA Chairman Arthur House registering his opposition to the proposed increases.

“While I can sympathize with the challenges facing Heritage Village Water Company in attempting to comply with new federal mandates that have been foisted, an increase of this magnitude is a lot to ask of the residents of Heritage Village, most of whom are on fixed incomes,” said Rep. O’Neill. “While I have no official role in reviewing this application or making decisions concerning it, I want to be certain that residents of Heritage Village all have an opportunity to have their voices heard by PURA before a decision is rendered.”

Dates for public hearings have yet to be set, but O’Neill urged residents to contact PURA via mail at:

PURA

10 Franklin Square

New Britain, CT 06051

In addition residents can e-mail them at pura.information@ct.gov for complaints, or if a customer wants to be part of the docket record, then they would e-mail their comments topura.executivesecretary@ct.gov.