Application required under terms of 2019 settlement agreement with PUC and Town of Hampton
HAMPTON, NH. – December 18, 2020 – Aquarion Water Company announced today it has filed a rate review application with the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission (PUC) as required under a 2019 settlement agreement with the PUC and the Town of Hampton. Aquarion has not had a general rate filing in over eight years.
During this difficult economic climate, Aquarion continues to offer assistance to customers having difficulty paying their water bill through the company’s COVID-19 payment plans and customer assistance program. Additionally, to reduce the impact on customers during this rate review process, Aquarion has requested that the PUC assign temporary rates for customers at the current rate level. This will ensure that rates remain the same until a final decision is issued by the PUC in 2021.
Since the company’s last general rate filing, Aquarion has invested more than $23 million in critical water utility infrastructure. These essential investments have been made to maintain and operate water sources and to reliably deliver safe, high-quality water to customers’ homes and workplaces.
“Aquarion is committed to reliably delivering safe, high-quality water to approximately 9,000 customers, both homes and businesses, in New Hampshire”, said John Walsh, Aquarion Vice President of Operations and Utility Innovation. “A key aspect of this commitment is our strong, ongoing program of investment in our water supply, treatment, and distribution infrastructure in Hampton, North Hampton, and Rye.”
With the proposed rate increase, the average single family residential customer using approximately 50,500 gallons of water annually would see an increase of $79.71 per year, $6.64 per month, or $0.22 per day if approved by the PUC.