FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 19, 2023
Housatonic, Massachusetts
A group of concerned Housatonic, Massachusetts, residents that care deeply about safeguarding their fundamental human right to safe and affordable water have started a new website, www.HousatonicCleanWater.com, and a petition to stop an impending water rate increase. To view some of the residents' comments to date visit www.housatoniccleanwater.com/comments.
On June 23, 2023, Housatonic Water Works Company (HWW) filed a petition with the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) for approval of a general increase in rates - a proposal that represents a rate hike of approximately 113 percent over the company’s current rates. The Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has filed a notice to intervene on behalf of the residents, as have the towns of Great Barrington, Stockbridge, and West Stockbridge. Note that as of 2021 Housatonic Water works had on record 23 customers in Stockbridge, 66 in West Stockbridge, and 750 in Housatonic.
The DPU will conduct a public hearing to receive comments on the Company’s petition. The hearing will take place on Tuesday, September 26, 2023 at 7pm at Monument Mountain Regional High School, Auditorium, 600 Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington, Massachusetts. Any person interested in commenting on this matter is encouraged to sign the resident's petition by the end of Friday, September 22, appear at the public hearing on Tuesday, September 26, and file written comments with the DPU no later than the close of business (5pm) on Wednesday, September 27, 2023. Written comments from the public may be sent by email to [email protected], [email protected].
As viewed by the residents, Housatonic Water Works Company is a for-profit monopoly with a very poor track record, extremely poor service, questionable billing procedures, and many violations including selling polluted water for years that does not meet legal safety standards. Every HWW customer is currently being exposed to Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), carcinogenic substances that can be ingested, inhaled, and absorbed via the skin. Residents have had enough, stating the following important points:
Press Contact, Kathy I. Regan
Telephone: (413) 274-1122
Housatonic Residents for Clean Water
Housatonic, Massachusetts
www.HousatonicCleanWater.com
[email protected]
September 19, 2023
Housatonic, Massachusetts
A group of concerned Housatonic, Massachusetts, residents that care deeply about safeguarding their fundamental human right to safe and affordable water have started a new website, www.HousatonicCleanWater.com, and a petition to stop an impending water rate increase. To view some of the residents' comments to date visit www.housatoniccleanwater.com/comments.
On June 23, 2023, Housatonic Water Works Company (HWW) filed a petition with the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) for approval of a general increase in rates - a proposal that represents a rate hike of approximately 113 percent over the company’s current rates. The Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has filed a notice to intervene on behalf of the residents, as have the towns of Great Barrington, Stockbridge, and West Stockbridge. Note that as of 2021 Housatonic Water works had on record 23 customers in Stockbridge, 66 in West Stockbridge, and 750 in Housatonic.
The DPU will conduct a public hearing to receive comments on the Company’s petition. The hearing will take place on Tuesday, September 26, 2023 at 7pm at Monument Mountain Regional High School, Auditorium, 600 Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington, Massachusetts. Any person interested in commenting on this matter is encouraged to sign the resident's petition by the end of Friday, September 22, appear at the public hearing on Tuesday, September 26, and file written comments with the DPU no later than the close of business (5pm) on Wednesday, September 27, 2023. Written comments from the public may be sent by email to [email protected], [email protected].
As viewed by the residents, Housatonic Water Works Company is a for-profit monopoly with a very poor track record, extremely poor service, questionable billing procedures, and many violations including selling polluted water for years that does not meet legal safety standards. Every HWW customer is currently being exposed to Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), carcinogenic substances that can be ingested, inhaled, and absorbed via the skin. Residents have had enough, stating the following important points:
- According to statistics including World Population Control, the average water rate in 2022 across Massachusetts is $34 per month. The state with the most expensive average water rate is West Virginia at $91 per month. If Housatonic Water Works is allowed to more than double our rates, we will be paying on average more than ANY other state in the entire USA for water that does not meet legal safety standards.
- According to census.gov, the median yearly income per household in Massachusetts in 2021 was $89,026, and on average residents across the state pay $34 per month for their water. According to censusreporter.org, the median yearly income per household in Housatonic, MA, is considerably less at $45,197, and yet residents are already paying almost $45 monthly for the first 2500 gallons. Housatonic Water Works Company did not improve the water quality with their last rate increase, and absolutely should not be granted approval for ANY additional rate increase.
- Ratepayers are denied legally safe water from HWW, and in many cases are already paying additionally to obtain safe water from other sources when possible. Unfortunately many residents have not been properly informed by the local health departments that a whole-house filtration system is necessary to avoid exposure to Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), carcinogenic substances that can be ingested, inhaled, and absorbed via the skin, which has been an ongoing problem with HWW water for years.
- The DEP clearly said that the new procedures that HWW wishes to implement are experimental and may not work, so it could be a complete waste of funds except to enhance the privately owned Housatonic Water Works Company net worth.
- Past rate increases by HWW did not improve the water quality or the infrastructure. Despite a number of rate increases in the past, the company has not spent more money on fixing the infrastructure, but instead, lined their pockets. Looking at the 2022 income statement, 77% of the $712K revenue is used to pay the owners salaries, lawyers, insurance, and miscellaneous items. We need to stop throwing good, hard-earned money after bad. The residents should not have to take on the burden of another rate increase (not even a partial one) that will bring residents way above the national average and only serve to enhance a for-profit monopoly increasing their net worth and personal gain.
Press Contact, Kathy I. Regan
Telephone: (413) 274-1122
Housatonic Residents for Clean Water
Housatonic, Massachusetts
www.HousatonicCleanWater.com
[email protected]