On June 30, 2022, Aqua North Carolina, Inc. (Aqua) filed an application to adjust and increase its rates for water and sewer service in all of its service areas in North Carolina. Aqua serves about 84,000 water customers and about 21,000 sewer customers in 51 counties. Aqua intends to implement its proposed rates on a temporary basis for service rendered on or after January 30, 2023 subject to refund, assuming the Commission has not made a final decision by that date.

In its application, Aqua proposes to increase its rates and charges to produce an additional $13,655,146 million in gross revenues, an increase of about 19.2%. In addition, Aqua seeks approval to establish and implement a Water and Sewer Investment Plan pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. 62 § 133.1B and Commission Rule R1-17A. If its WSIP is approved, Aqua further proposes to increase its rates and charges to produce an additional $18,064,678 in gross revenues over present rate revenues, or an increase of approximately 25.4% in Rate Year 1 to be effective January 1, 2023; an additional $4,303,037 in gross revenues, or an increase of approximately 4.8% in Rate Year 2; and an additional $4,579,353 in gross revenues, or an increase of approximately 4.9% in Rate Year 3. In addition, Aqua requests:

  1. Continuation of the Conservation Pilot Program approved by the Commission in Docket No. W-218, Sub 516.
  2. Approval to consolidate residential sewer customers located in the Park South Station, Huntley Glen, and Parkway Crossing service areas under its Aqua Uniform Sewer rate design.
  3. Approval of a Sewer Use Rule and Customer Assistance Program
  4. If the WSIP is not approved, Aqua requests authority to implement a Consumption Adjustment Mechanism in each of its three water rate divisions pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 62-133.12A.

     The rates that Aqua requests differ by water system.

  1. Aqua’s proposed changes to rates in all areas, EXCEPT the Brookwood/ LaGrange service areas in Cumberland and Hoke Counties AND the Fairways and Beau Rive (The Cape) service areas in New Hanover County are available here under Appendix A.
  2. Aqua’s proposed changes in water rates for the Brookwood/LaGrange service areas in Cumberland and Hoke Counties are available here under Appendix B.
  3. Aqua’s proposed changes in water and/or sewer service for its Fairways and Beau Rivage (The Cape) service areas in New Hanover County are available here under Appendix C.

The Commission held four public witness hearings to take comments from Aqua customers.


Date Time Location Docket Description of Proceeding
10/04/2022 7:00pm Hearing Room 2115, Dobbs Building, 430 N Salisbury Street, Raleigh W-218 Sub 573 Aqua NC’s Request to Increase Rates for Water and Sewer Service
10/20/2022 6:30pm Virtual Hearing Held via Webex W-218 Sub 573 Aqua NC’s Request to Increase Rates for Water and Sewer Service
10/26/2022 7:00pm New Hanover County Courthouse 317 Princess Street Courtroom 317 Wilmington, North Carolina W-218 Sub 573 Aqua NC’s Request to Increase Rates for Water and Sewer Service
10/27/2022 7:00pm Gaston County Courthouse County Commission Public Forum Room 2nd Floor 325 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Way Gastonia, North Carolina W-218 Sub 573 Aqua NC’s Request to Increase Rates for Water and Sewer Service

The Commission held an expert witness hearing on January 9, 2022. This hearing was for the purpose of hearing testimony from expert witnesses, including Aqua and the Public Staff. The hearing was held in Commission Hearing Room 2115, Dobbs Building, 430 N. Salisbury, Raleigh, North Carolina.

The Public Staff – North Carolina Utilities Commission is a separate, independent agency that represents the using and consuming public in matters before the Commission, including rate increase requests like this one.

Customers can also submit a written statement to the Commission via email. Be sure to include the docket number in the subject line. Another option is to mail a statement to the Commission at the address below. In either case, after two or three business days, statements are made part of the official record for the proceeding and can be viewed on this website via Docket Number W-218 Sub 526CS.

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