Bangor Water District seeks 10.5% rate hike to fund infrastructure repairs

The Bangor Water District held a public hearing to propose a 10.5% increase in water rates effective April 1, 2026, citing rising operational costs and the need to fund aging infrastructure. General Manager Chuck Harrison explained that the increase is necessary to cover energy, chemical, and IT security costs while maintaining a capital reserve for major projects like the Cumberland Street utility replacement. Several residents voiced concerns about affordability and past management issues, while the district emphasized that incremental increases are more responsible than large, infrequent hikes.

Key points

• The district proposes a 10.5% rate increase for all customer classes, which would add approximately $6.84 per quarter to the average residential bill.
• General Manager Chuck Harrison stated that 73 main breaks occurred in 2025, driven by dry conditions, cold weather, and the age of the system, with 42 miles of mains over 100 years old.
• Resident Scott Hardy argued that the cumulative utility increases over the last six years are unaffordable for fixed-income households and urged the board to seek operational efficiencies.
• Resident Carol Cotting opposed the increase, citing a cancer cluster on her street linked to a water main installed over sewer laterals in violation of codes, and criticized past fiscal management.
• Councilor Wayne Mallar defended the district's approach, noting that incremental rate adjustments are standard practice for regulated utilities and that the district's rates remain among the lowest in the state.
• Trustee Franklin Bragg highlighted that replacing 42 miles of century-old water mains would cost approximately $84 million, necessitating long-term planning and funding.

Next steps

• The district will file a formal rate schedule with the Maine Public Utilities Commission within 30 days of the hearing.
• Customers may petition the PUC for a review of the rate change by submitting signatures from at least 1,000 customers within 30 days of the hearing.

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