Russo Says Water Rates Among Lowest in Area

Based on information he found in a Meriden Record Journal story, Water and Sewer Director Guy Russo has sent a letter to the Common Council explaining that the new rates in town will still be among the lowest in the area.

According to Russo:

I have produced the following table for their use. The rates listed below normalizes Middletown's
rates to 100 cubic feet, so they match the rates quoted in the article. Also, Wallingford's sewer rate is based on 75% usage, and that has been normalized to be based on 100% usage, as are all the other towns listed, and as is Middletown's.

Water Rate Sewer Rate
Meriden $3.05 $2.75
Wallingford $2.88 $2.80
Southington $2.25 $2.90
Middletown $2.48 $2.57

Please note that the Middletown Sewer Rate is the new rate that
is going into affect on January 1, 2010. I would also note that of these
Middletown's Sewer Rate is lowest, and our Water Rate is second lowest.
I am not a fan of direct rate comparisons is that they do not reflect
the capitalization to the system, nor the maintenance to make
technological improvements. For those of you who have seen the inside of
our water plants know the efforts we have made to keep our investment
maintained. As for pipe replacement for both water and sewer, I know
that you are aware of all the efforts we have made with aggressively
managing our in field infrastructure, and pump stations. Based on
conversations with my cohorts in the industry, we are in the upper tier
of such replacements.