Rate Increase Effective 6/2/2022
RATE INCREASE - JUNE 16, 2022
On November 24, 2020, The Hampstead Area Water Company, Inc. (HAWC) filed for a rate increase with the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission (NHPUC).
This rate increase covers the increased operating costs since the last general rate case in 2017, plus provides additional revenues to allow for recovery of HAWC’s infrastructure investment and operations. This includes improvements made by the company to participate in the State of New Hampshire’s Southern New Hampshire Regional Water Project (SNHRWP). Also, other additions such as the construction of a 1-million-gallon water storage tank and numerous upgrades to the company’s core system to receive additional water from SNHRWP. These infrastructure improvements were necessary to enhance water supply capabilities throughout the core system and provide additional short and long term water capacity for our customers. There were multiple infrastructure and plant investments made to our satellite systems as well.
The increases in the water rates are designed to allow the Company to recover its cost and to earn a reasonable return on its investment. After due consideration and review by the parties, HAWC, the NH Department of Energy, the NH Office of the Consumer Advocate, the Town of Atkinson and the Town of Hampstead entered into a Settlement Agreement. The NHPUC approved the rate increase incorporated into the Settlement Agreement on June 2, 2022; NHPUC Order Number 26,635. This order includes a rate increase to water charges with two proposed step increases in the future, and the approval to charge for private fire protection in residential homes with fire protection systems.
Under the approved rate change, all monthly base rates will be increasing. The monthly base rate charged by HAWC for customers with a 5/8” meter (most residential customers) will increase from the temporary rate of $11.23 per month to $11.92 per month. The consumption rate will increase from the temporary rate of $6.74 per 100cf to $6.90 per 100cf. It is estimated that this rate increase will raise the average residential customer’s bill by $1.45 per month. The complete list of new rates can be found on our website at https://www.hampsteadwater.com/water-rates-fee-info.
The NHPUC also approved changes to the private fire protection monthly rates. These rates will be decreasing for commercial customers, and they will now be charged to residential customers with fire protection in their homes based on their pipe size. The monthly base rate for residential homes with a 2” fire protection line (most common size), will be $5.31 per month.
We at Hampstead Area Water Co., Inc. would like to express our appreciation to you, our customers. We thank you for your support while we continue improving our abilities to better serve you now and into the future. Should you have additional questions please feel free to contact our office Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm at (603) 362-4299 or by email at customerservice@hampsteadwater.com.
