Great Barrington — The long-troubled Housatonic Water Works Company has announced that it has filed an application with the state’s Department of Public Utilities requesting a 112.7 percent overall revenue increase.
According to a press release issued by the company on Friday, June 23, the request reflects an $808,808 increase over the existing water rates.
“The company plans to spend $4.5 million to upgrade its treatment and distribution systems, improving both drinking water quality and fire protection service,” the company announced in its press release. “Under the current management, over $3 million in improvements have been made. Since the last rate case filing in 2015, the Company has replaced over 760 water meters and 2,458 feet of aging water mains, associated valves, and hydrants on Front, Division, North, Park and Wyantenuck streets.”
The company announced that the across-the-board increase will result in a monthly minimum service charge of $98.38 and a $23.24 charge per thousand gallons for all water usage over the 2,500-gallon monthly allowance. The annual cost of water service for the average residential customer would increase from $746.40 to $1,641.48.
