Water Commission Approves Rate Hike
- Peter Prohaska
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
With its lakes, rivers, streams, brooks, ponds, and Long Island Sound, Connecticut’s water resources can seem endless and sometimes be taken for granted. And while water costs are not among the nation’s highest, increasing demand, infrastructure needs as well as state and federal mandates are all escalating the costs of providing water to residents and users.
The Southington Board of Water Commissioners voted unanimously to raise rates by 4.5% at its meeting on Thursday, May 14. The price of 100 cubic feet of water, about 780 gallons, increased from $4.91 to $5.13, or 22 cents per unit for users of 0-1000 CCF, and from $4.59 to $4.80 for users of more than 1000 CCF, billed quarterly. No member of the public came to speak during a half-hour long public hearing on the rate hike, one that puts Southington in line with other communities in the region.
Service Charges also increased:
Meter Size
5/8” from $36.28 to $37.91
3/4” from $36.28 to $37.91
1” from $53.77 to $56.19
1-1/2” from $95.67 to $99.98
2” from $137.52 to $143.71
3” from $239.51 to $250.29
4” from $385.16 to $402.49
6” from $683.79 to $714.56
The average household uses about 300 gallons per day, and the cost of a gallon of drinkable water from the municipal supply remains far less expensive than a gallon purchased commercially. Still, for many households on stricter budgets these days, the change may be significant.
The Water Department website does feature a list of EPA tips for conserving water. A leaky toilet for example, can waste as much as 200 gallons per day, while newer, more efficient washing machines and dishwashers can save as much as 50% per usage. Planting native grasses, which are more drought-tolerant among other benefits, can also reduce the need for watering a non-native grass lawn. In addition, disposing of unwanted pharmaceuticals or other potentially dangerous substances through a disposal program, rather than flushing them, helps avoid contamination of the drinking water supply. In a program run through Southington STEPS, residents can dispose of unwanted medications through a drop box at the Southington Police Department.
Even with consumer behavior cutting down on waste and pollution, the costs of keeping water safe to drink remain considerable, with treatment, delivery, labor and other costs continuing to grow.
However, Superintendent Douglas Arndt reported to the commissioners that the federal government has followed through on efforts to keep Southington’s water safe. A check for $1.35 million was delivered to Arndt for PFAS – perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, sometimes referred to as “forever chemicals” – remediation efforts. These funds, totalling $3 million, were secured in part thanks to the efforts of Congressman John Larson and announced back in January.
“Everyone deserves access to clean and safe drinking water,” said Larson at the time. “I have worked closely with the Southington Water Department over the last few years to improve the town’s water supply, and am proud to announce $3 million in new federal funding that was just signed into law to support the construction of a new treatment facility that removes harmful, cancer-causing PFAS chemicals polluting the water residents rely on. I’ll continue to work with all my colleagues in Congress to invest in our communities and protect families from these dangerous chemicals.”
A separate pilot program aimed at removing PFAS materials with a lower-cost filter will be taking place in Cheshire, under the Regional Water Authority per the discussion. If the program proves effective, Arndt mentioned that Southington could be next in line to install and utilize the technology, with state aid available and without upfront investment from his office.
Commission President Robert Berkmoes mentioned that though the PFAS remediation funds would be put to good use, PFAS levels in Southington water are not currently a cause for worry, at less than one part per trillion. Recently reissued EPA guidelines have a threshold ten times that level.
A lead remediation program is also in effect with Southington, to eliminate any lead service lines that remain. Arndt said that this process is being assisted by VODA, an artificial intelligence program designed for helping water authorities nationwide. The AI can more efficiently detect possible problems and even predict failures, according to its website. Field inspections are still being used to verify the machine’s work, Arndt said.
The Commission also approved up to $25,000 for the redevelopment of Well 3. Work on the West Main Street water main was awaiting final approval from state authorities but bids were approved.
