Artesian Wastewater Management, Inc. is seeking a rate increase that if approved would affect residents in a number of southern Delaware developments. The utility says the money is needed to fund improvements and cover increased costs.
Artesian has invested $17.3 million for wastewater system improvements over the last several years, but has not filed for a rate increase since the systems went into operation. The request will go before the Delaware Public Service Commission.
If granted in full, the request would increase the flat charge for residential wastewater service from $75 per month per residence to $98 per month. Artesian Wastewater serves Stonewater Creek, Heron Bay, Beaver Creek, Reserves at Lewes Landing and Southfield in southern Delaware. It will provide service in the near future to Shoreview Woods and Windstone.
“This rate request is driven by the millions of dollars in investments we have made to ensure our customers have safe, reliable wastewater service that meets the increasingly stringent standards established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Delaware Department of Natural Resources,” said Dian C. Taylor, CEO of Artesian Resources. “We have developed regional wastewater systems that are protecting our precious groundwater resources and eliminating the need for individual septic systems in an environmentally sensitive area of our state.”
Infrastructure improvements in progress or recently completed include $1.5 million for the second phase of construction of the wastewater treatment facility at Beaver Creek; $460,000 for collection sewers that connect Windstone to the Beaver Creek system and $590,000 for pump station upgrades and construction.
Artesian, based near Newark, is primarily a water utility, with its largest operation in New Castle County. Artesian Wastewater Management, Inc. was organized in July 2005 and owns and operates five wastewater facilities in southern Delaware.
