PURA approves Connecticut Water Company WICA surcharge; cumulative charge set at 7.47%

The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority on Sept. 24 approved Connecticut Water Company's semiannual Water Infrastructure and Conservation Adjustment filing, designating 22 new projects and authorizing cost recovery for 16 completed projects.

Authority staff reported that Connecticut Water submitted its filing on July 30, 2025, requesting designation of projects numbered 615 through 636 as WICA-eligible at an estimated cost of $37,900,000. Staff said the authority reviewed 16 completed projects with total recoverable costs of $24,277,552 and found the projects will benefit customers. "The proposed incremental WICA adjustment is 2.57% and cumulative surcharge is 7.47%," staff said.

Staff explained statutory limitations that govern WICA charges, noting that the amount between general rate filings cannot exceed 10% of annual retail water revenues and that no 12-month increase may exceed 5%. Staff said the proposed 12-month adjustment of 3.92% conforms to the 5% cap and that the cumulative 7.47% conforms to the 10% ceiling. The authority authorized the company's incremental 2.57% and cumulative 7.47% surcharge, effective Oct. 1, 2025.

Commissioner Michael Karen moved to adopt the decision (docket 230832-WIO-4); Vice Chairman David Arkanti seconded. The roll call recorded yes votes from Commissioner Karen and Vice Chairman Arkanti; the motion passed and the decision was adopted.

The adopted order authorizes Connecticut Water to use the approved project costs to calculate its WICA adjustment; other conditions and reporting requirements in the order were not read in full during the meeting.