BCWA board to vote on 3.5 percent rate increase

Another water rate increase is on the horizon.

The Bristol County Water Authority Board of Directors will vote on a recommended 3.5 percent rate increase this Thursday, Feb. 2.

Water rates have gone up during each of the last four years. BCWA officials said the increase will raise the average residential water customer’s bill by $18.93 per year.

Executive Director Pamela Marchand said Monday that the increase will primarily fund infrastructure improvements; a notice on the BCWA website elaborated, saying it will fund “reserves and needed water distribution repair and replacement projects.”

She noted that the authority’s operations budget is holding steady this year, with no spending increase expected.

Thursday’s public hearing starts at 6 p.m. in the BCWA boardroom, 450 Child St. The board’s vote on the increase will come at the conclusion of the public hearing.

— Ted Hayes