United Water Rate Hike Approved By State Regulators

The United Water Company, a privately owned public utility that supplies water to customers in Newtown, has received a water rate increase from the state Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC).

The DPUC approved the rate increase on March 13. In this area, United Water operates public water supplies in Newtown, Woodbury, and New Milford.

The rate hike results in an overall 27.9 percent increase over current water rates. The utility company had earlier sought to receive a 47 percent rate increase from DPUC.

For a residential customer on a 5/8-inch diameter water meter with typical quarterly water consumption of 18,000 gallons, the quarterly water bill would increase by $24.03, rising from $107.26 to $131.29, reflecting a 22.4 percent hike, according to the DPUC.

The water company received its last rate increase more than 15 years ago.