Maine Water Company said Jan. 30 that it has received approval from the Maine Public Utilities Commission to recover more than $650,000 in investment in drinking water infrastructure though Maine’s Water Infrastructure Charge (WISC) program.  The costs of completed WISC projects are recovered through a surcharge on customer bills with MPUC authorization.  The WISC adjustment will add approximately 19 cents per month to an average residential customer in the Camden-Rockport Division who uses 100 gallons of water per day, said Maine Water. 

“WISC allows proactive water utilities like Maine Water to systematically plan and replace aging drinking water infrastructure,” stated Richard Knowlton, president of Maine Water, in a news release. “Through WISC, we are able to make regular investments in the replacement of aging water mains, valves, hydrants, storage tanks, treatment equipment, control systems and other assets that are needed to provide dependable water service. These investments enhance system reliability, water quality, public fire protection, and efficiency and reduce the amount of water lost to leaks.”

The WISC adjustment recently approved for Maine Water’s Camden-Rockland Division, which becomes effective Feb. 1, includes a number of main and hydrant replacements and controls system improvements as described below.

In addition to improving reliability and water quality, replacing old pipe and distribution system infrastructure reduces water lost through leaks and breaks, reduces the environmental impact of pumping and treating that lost water, and can improve the amount of water available to fire hydrants on the water system, said Maine Water.

Since the inception of WISC in 2014, Maine Water has invested more than $10 million to replace nearly 15 miles of aging water mains, replace pumps and booster pump stations, replace a 3.0-million-gallon water storage tank, and fund treatment facility pump and control system improvements.

“Our state legislators and the MPUC deserve credit for having the foresight to enable water system infrastructure replacement through a program such as WISC,” said Knowlton

“The company recognizes that these investments are ultimately reflected in customers’ rates but considers them essential to ensure that MWC customers have the water quality and service they deserve,” said Maine Water.

About Maine Water

Maine Water Company is a public water utility that currently owns 12 public water systems engaged in the collection, treatment and distribution of drinking water for homes, businesses and fire protection service. Maine Water Company, a subsidiary of Connecticut Water Service, Inc. (Nasdaq:CTWS), serves more than 32,000 customers, or approximately 85,000 people, in 21 communities across Maine.