City of Waterbury holds public hearing on water rate hike proposal
Waterbury residents could be paying more on their water bill next year.
That’s one part of the mayor’s proposed budget. The rate hike proposal comes after a dramatic year for Waterbury’s water infrastructure, with two major water main breaks. Last month, the water superintendent also resigned and was arrested on forgery charges.
According to the budget proposal, the city hasn’t raised the user and service rates since 2022.
The city is looking to raise water rates from $2.60 to $3.50 per centum cubic feet a quarter. That’s at least a 30% increase. Additionally, if residents have a standard-sized water meter, the service charge would increase from $12.00 to $24.00 per quarter.
“The increases in the rates were deemed necessary to help with the operations of the water department as well as to allow for continued investment in water infrastructure,” explained the city at the Mayor’s Budget Proposal Presentation on April 1st. “The user rate and the annual cost are still significantly below other water companies throughout the state.”
Data from the City of Waterbury show that if someone paid about $300 a year for water and service rates, they’d now pay about $430 under the proposed budget.
“I can’t afford 33 percent,” said resident Joe Perna. “My utilities went up, car insurance went up, house taxes went up.”
Some residents want to better understand where their extra dollars would go.
“We’ve had a ton of issues with the water main breaks and with the aging infrastructure and feeling like nothing’s being done,” said Mike Palombo, another Watebury resident.
But some hope this could prevent history from repeating itself.
“It was freezing when they were fixing the pipe and everything, so I’m all for it. I’m willing to help out,” said resident James Blais.
There is a public hearing scheduled at Monday’s Board of Aldermen meeting to discuss these proposed rate hikes. The Board is set to deliberate on the mayor’s budget proposal at the end of the month.
We have reached out to the mayor’s Office for a comment and are waiting to hear back.
From breaking news and local politics to art exhibitions, live music, high school sports, small businesses, and cultural events, we celebrate the people and places that make Connecticut unique.