Conn. Water Company Seeks 17% Rate Increase

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (AP) — A water company buying up smaller systems to consolidate service in Connecticut is seeking a nearly 17 percent rate increase.

Aquarion Water Co. of Connecticut said Wednesday.an increase would generate about $27 million in revenue and cost the average customer about $7 a month.

Aquarion serves 625,000 customers in 47 cities and towns in Connecticut. It says it has spent more than $143 million to improve its delivery and other systems.

A spokesman for the state Public Utilities Regulatory Authority says Aquarion's last rate increase was 11.3 percent in September 2010. A formal request for a higher rate is expected within 30 to 60 days.

Aquarion has acquired smaller water systems, primarily in western Connecticut, to improve service. Regulators have encouraged the consolidation to improve access to running water and lower operation costs

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.