SACO (WGME) — Several Maine communities are bracing for a big jump in their water bills.
Maine Water Company says they need to increase rates to continue replacing aging infrastructure.
Customers say they’ve already been hit with significant water bill increases over the years, but it’s this new rate that has many saying they are now drawing the line.
Rodney Boucher lives in Biddeford and has been a Maine Water Company customer for quite some time.
“I said, ‘Here we go again,’” Boucher said.
That was his reaction to the notice coming from the PUC, warning him his water bill could jump by more than $11 a month, which amounts to a 26 percent increase.
“I would prefer it to be a little somewhat lower than what it is right now at the present time. I just can’t believe they want another 26 percent added,” Boucher said.
The Maine Water Company says rising construction costs have delayed critical infrastructure projects.
As a result, bills will increase by an average of $13 a month. Others who haven’t had a rate change in over a decade will see an increase of about $18 a month.
While some customers received this information last week, others got their notice on Monday, the same day the deadline to intervene was.
“They failed the people of the state of Maine. They completely failed them,” Millinocket resident Jeff Murphy said.
Murphy is now blaming the PUC for this delay.
The PUC says it will entertain late-filed petitions to intervene.
“I think this is probably exacerbated by slow postal service,” Office of the Public Advocate Spokesperson Heather Sanborne said.
Maine’s public advocate promises her office will scrutinize every line of the Maine Water Company’s rate filing.
“We’ll be really pushing back and looking at all the details of what Maine Water Company is asking for here,” Sanborne said.
It could take up to 12 months before the PUC makes a final decision on Maine Water Company’s rate request.
Maine Water Company will make its case to the PUC in a public hearing.
That’s set for next Wednesday inside Saco City Hall.
