Newport Water Seeks 12 Percent Rate Increase

NEWPORT, RI—Newport Water has filed an application with the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission to raise water rates 12 percent.

In the Dec. 23 filing with the PUC, the water provider, which serves Newport, Middletown and the U.S. Navy, indicated that the proposed rate increase would generate an extra $2.16 million in annual revenue and the typical customer who uses 5,000 gallons of water per month would pay $22.68 more per year, or 3.4 percent.

The rates, if approved by the PUC, would become effective Jan. 23, though “the [PUC] can suspend the rates for up to eight months from the proposed effective date” and “no change will take effect until the Commission has conducted a full investigation and hearing on the proposal.”

The rate request is based on increased expenses for capital projects and operations and maintenance expenses, according to Julia A. Forgue, director of utilities, in testimony submitted to the PUC.

The full rate filing can be found HERE.