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Case Details:
Case Number:
2026-00028
Case Status:
Open
Utility/Industry Type :
Water
Utility/Industry Subtype :
Water
Case Type :
REQUEST FOR APPROVAL
Case Subtype :
RATE CHANGE - 307
Pertaining to Utility/Company :
THE MAINE WATER COMPANY
Case Title :
REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF RATE CHANGE -307 PERTAINING TO THE MAINE WATER COMPANY
Initiating Filer :
THE MAINE WATER COMPANY
Case Start Date :
1/30/2026
Assigned Staff :
Dale.Coty,
Jordan.D.McColman,
Leslie.Raber,
Lucretia.Smith,
Nora.Healy,
Stephani.Morancie,
Hailey.Rizzo,
Jason.Marco
View Case References
Filings (29)
Data Requests (10)
Public Comments (30)
Active Party and Notification List (16)
Assigned Staff (8)
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Item No.
Date Filed
Description Of Filing
Filing Party
Filed By
No of Attachments
Deleted Filings
29
7/21/2026
Office of the Public Advocate's Replacement Testimony
OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC ADVOCATE
PUBLIC ADVOCATE, MAINE OFFICE OF THE
3
28
7/13/2026
Bench Analysis and Bench Memorandum
COMMISSION STAFF, CMS
COMMISSION STAFF, CMS
5
27
7/13/2026
Office of the Public Advocate's Testimony of Jesse Houck
OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC ADVOCATE
PUBLIC ADVOCATE, MAINE OFFICE OF THE
4
26
7/13/2026
Office of the Public Advocate's Testimony of Lafayette Morgan
OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC ADVOCATE
PUBLIC ADVOCATE, MAINE OFFICE OF THE
6
25
7/10/2026
Direct Testimony of David Garrett on behalf of OPA
OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC ADVOCATE
PUBLIC ADVOCATE, MAINE OFFICE OF THE
3
24
6/29/2026
TRANSCRIPT 6/23/26
COMMISSION STAFF, CMS
COMMISSION STAFF, CMS
1
23
6/11/2026
TRANSCRIPT 6/10/26
COMMISSION STAFF, CMS
COMMISSION STAFF, CMS
1
22
6/10/2026
Richard Hevey Withdrawal of Appearance
OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC ADVOCATE
Hevey, Richard
1
21
6/9/2026
Procedural Order
COMMISSION STAFF, CMS
COMMISSION STAFF, CMS
1
20
6/8/2026
OPA'S TIME ESTIMATES RE TECH CONFERENCES
OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC ADVOCATE
PUBLIC ADVOCATE, MAINE OFFICE OF THE
1
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View By Question
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DR Set ID
Set Description
Issue Date
No. of DR Questions
Propounded Upon
View Questions in Set
View Cover Letter/Instructions
Print
AQUA-001
AQUA Set 1 Propounded Upon Staff Witness Woolridge
7/24/2026
1
EXM (Advisor)
View Questions
AQUA-002
AQUA Set 2 Propounded Upon OPA Witness Houck
7/24/2026
3
OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC ADVOCATE
View Questions
AQUA-003
AQUA Set 3 Propounded Upon OPA Witness Morgan
7/24/2026
33
OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC ADVOCATE
View Questions
EXM-001
EXM-001 - Panel Overview
5/12/2026
9
THE MAINE WATER COMPANY
View Questions
EXM-002
EXM-002 - Revenue Requirements and Attrition
5/12/2026
31
THE MAINE WATER COMPANY
View Questions
EXM-003
EXM-003 - COSS and Rates
5/12/2026
11
THE MAINE WATER COMPANY
View Questions
EXM-004
EXM-004 - Lead Lag Study
5/12/2026
3
THE MAINE WATER COMPANY
View Questions
EXM-005
EXM-005 - Cost of Capital
5/12/2026
22
THE MAINE WATER COMPANY
View Questions
EXM-006
EXM-006 - Depreciation
5/12/2026
11
THE MAINE WATER COMPANY
View Questions
EXM-007
EXM-007 - Miscellaneous
5/12/2026
5
THE MAINE WATER COMPANY
View Questions
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Posted By
Posted Date
Comments
Attachment(s)
Tina Turgeon
310 Hill St Apt 30, Biddeford, ME 04005
Email ID: shrt_stf@yahoo.com
6/24/2026
I live in a 50+ retirement condominium community in Biddeford that is served by a 2-inch water meter. The vast majority of residents here are retirees living on fixed incomes-many of whom carefully budget every dollar each month to cover basic living expenses. In January 2026, our monthly water rate was $53.17. The following month, that rate jumped to $80.67, representing a 51% increase. Now, the proposed increase to $110.43 would result in a staggering 107% increase since January 2026, and an additional 36% increase since February 2026. This rate of increase is alarming-not only because of the size of the increases, but because of how quickly they are being imposed. For retirees living on fixed incomes such as Social Security or modest pensions, income does not rise to keep pace with these kinds of dramatic cost escalations. There is no mechanism for us to absorb such rapid and repeated increases. At the same time, residents are already facing higher costs for essential needs such as groceries, heating, fuel, and medical care. These cumulative financial pressures are placing a significant strain on older adults, many of whom have limited flexibility in their budgets and few options to offset rising expenses. Water is not a luxury-it is a basic necessity. Increases of this magnitude, over such a short period, place an undue burden on vulnerable populations, particularly seniors. The proposed rate increase risks forcing some residents to make difficult choices between essential needs. I respectfully urge careful reconsideration of this proposal, with particular attention to its disproportionate impact on retirees and fixed-income households.
Norma Lambert
310 Hill St Unit 1 Biddeford, ME 04005
Email ID: njeanlambert@gmail.com
Phone No.: 2072865789
5/19/2026
I live at Eastwoods Condo Association. It has 50 units. We have one 2 inch meter for all units - not individual meters for each unit - that we pay monthly, not quarterly. The rate increase that Maine Water is requesting for May 2027 would mean that they will have doubled our rate within 17 months. In Jan of this year our rate was $53.17. The rate increased in Feb to $80.67 and the rate they're asking for in 2027 is $110.43. I'm the treasurer for Eastwoods so I called Maine Water for this information. FYI - the rate is not on the bill. I also found out that we are charged $25.00 per month extra for having a monthly bill. This rate would go up to $35.00 with the rate increase. It seems like alot for just checking one meter, once a month that is located beside the hydrant. FYI - that charge doesn't show separately on the bill. I wasn't aware of the monthly charge until I called. Also the rep at Maine Water said that we can't change to quarterly billing if we wanted to.
Bonnie R. Holland
Retired
2 Oak St. Old Orchard Beach, ME 04064
Email ID: holland.bonnie.r@gmail.com
Phone No.: 207-934-4336
5/16/2026
I vehemently oppose the proposed 26.2% rate increase requested by the Maine Water Company. As of April, the U.S. inflation rate was 3.8%. I am retired and my annual COLA is based upon the inflation rate. How are senior citizens expected to keep paying these enormous rate hikes when their social security increases are significantly lower than these rate hikes? I propose that utilities in Maine should be forced to limit rate hikes to the U.S. inflation rate. Thank you for allowing me to present my viewpoint on this important matter.
Sen.Henry Ingwersen
Maine Senate - District 32
3 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333
Email ID: Henry.Ingwersen@legislature.maine.gov
Phone No.: (207) 287-1515
5/14/2026
Please see the attached letter.
Sen. Ingwersen Maine Water Letter 5.14.26.pdf
Sen. Donna Bailey
Maine State Senate - District 31
3 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333
Email ID: Donna.Bailey@legislature.maine.gov
Phone No.: (207) 287-1515
5/12/2026
Please see the attached letter.
Sen. Bailey Maine Water Rate Increase Letter.pdf
William Harriman II
32 Ice House Rd. Fryeburg,Me..
5/10/2026
I see that someone mentioned Mark Vannoy..I know who he is.I was one of the 2 actual customers of Fryeburg Water Co. who Petitioned to Intervene in MPUC docket 2012-00487(the 45 year "agreement") where EVERY MPUC commissioner either recused/resigned from the case due to their ties to Nestle..Vannoy was one of those commissioners..And KNOWING what is happening right now in Fryeburg he should NOT be trusted..I also recognize a few other staff names from back then...I'm concerned they are involved knowing what I do..And I learned one VERY important fact: NO corporation can do ANYTHING without the help of public officials... They have stopped providing quarterly water extraction reports to the town..They are also misleading the citizens of Fryeburg Water District...and draining a small local aquifer that once was "full and overflowing"..There's FAR more to this story...and when it comes to the MPUC it started in 1997(docket 1997-533) and commissioner Welch....another commissioner who ended up "giving up his post" on the commission during that case... I'm currently putting together a 10 Person Complaint against Maine Water and the private copany that hired them(Fryeburg Water Co.)..I've already contacted the OPA about this....
Jamie B
159 Townhouse Rd, Weat Gardiner
5/9/2026
It is OUTRAGEOUS that a 26% increase would be proposed. That FAR outpaces inflation and Mainers simply cannot afford that kind of increase. Our electricity is WAY more expensive than surrounding states (I lived in MA for a long time and know firsthand) and gas and heating oil prices have skyrocketed recently. Do NOT allow this
William Harriman II
32 Ice House Rd., Fryeburg,Me.
5/8/2026
As a Fryeburg Water Co. customer I have a few questions for Maine Water:.What % of the proposed hike is profit?...How will this affect Fryeburg?..Why have you stopped supplying quarterly water extraction reports to the town of Fryeburg?...Why are you misleading the citizens of Fryeburg?....Thank you for your response..
Rep. Marc Malon
Maine House of Representatives
P.O. Box 24 Biddeford, ME 04005
Email ID: marc.malon@legislature.maine.gov
Phone No.: 2075908366
5/6/2026
I am not someone who reflexively opposes all rate increases. I understand that providing quality drinking water to residents is costly, and requires well-maintained infrastructure and deferring costs is a harmful practices. But I cannot support a 26% rate hike. Speaking as a Maine Water customer and as a State Rep. who represents many more customers (the facility off South St. is in my district), I do not believe this is a fair or sustainable increase. Mainers are being hit with rising costs everywhere they look, from housing to gas to food to electricity. Such a big jump so soon will make it more difficult for residents to budget accordingly. I urge the the PUC to reject this request and for Maine Water to reconsider its approach.
Ryan Fecteau
PO Box 2244 Biddeford, ME 04005
Email ID: 57fecteau@cua.edu
5/6/2026
The Maine Water Company is seeking an annual revenue increase of $9,525,537 or 29.3 percent. This request could not come at a worse time for ratepayers who are facing strained household budgets just about everywhere they turn. This rate increase is well beyond cumulative inflation since the last PUC-approved rate increase. By the way, I supported that last rate increase, which was justified by necessary upgrades, water quality compliance, and consolidation efforts. The memo provided at the May 06, 2026 public hearing in Saco does not provide similar justification as the previous rate increase request. Instead, it notes the increase would result in "a return on equity of 9.9% and overall rate of return on rate base of 7.23%." While I appreciate the Company has an obligation to generate a return to H20 America and its shareholders, the PUC has an obligation to ratepayers who can only bear the brunt of so many rate hikes. H20 America generated more than $100M in profit in 2025 according to Yahoo Finance. In fact, the company's profit jumped from $74M in 2022 to $85M in 2023 to $94M in 2024 to $103M in 2025. Their profits are growing year-over-year by 8 to 15 percent. And yet, they are coming back to the ratepayer well (no pun intended) anyway. In addition, the Company was recently contracted by the City of Biddeford to administer sewer bills. This activity creates a new revenue stream for the Company that Biddeford taxpayers are paying for. This should be considered in the PUC deliberations. Overall, it is self evident that this rate request is much too large, inconsistent with inflation, and not justified by large scale reinvestment into operations and/or infrastructure. I urge the PUC to reject this request.
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Notification List
Active Party List
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Name of Person/Company
Representing Company
Mailing Address
Email/Phone/Fax
Hewitt, William
THE MAINE WATER COMPANY
PO Box 797
Yarmouth ME 04096
Email ID: whewitt@HewittLegalAdvisors.com
Phone Ph: 207-846-8600
Fax:
Johnson, Suzanne
ME
Email ID: suzrog1@gmail.com
Phone
Fax:
Lambert, Norma
310 Hill Street
Biddeford ME 11111
Email ID: njeanlambert@gmail.com
Phone Ph: 207-111-1111
Fax:
Lane, Steven M.
109 Center Street
Old Town ME 04468
Email ID: slane@oldtownwater.org
Phone Ph: 207-827-2145
Fax: Fax: 207-827-2191
Larsen, Soren
ME
Email ID: sorkat1@bluetiehome.com
Phone
Fax:
Libby, Marcia A
PO Box 9729
Portland ME 04104 5029
Email ID: mlibby@bernsteinshur.com
Phone Ph: 207-228-7346
Fax:
Mierzwa, Jerome D
10480 Little Patuxent Parkway Suite 300
Columbia MD 21044
Email ID: jmierzwa@exeterassociates.com
Phone Ph: 410-992-7500
Fax: Fax: 410-992-3445
Morgan, Lafayette
10480 Little Patuxent Parkway Suite 300
Columbia MD 21044
Email ID: lmorgan@exeterassociates.com
Phone Ph: 410-992-7500
Fax:
Most, Sylvia J.
112 State House Station
Augusta ME 04333
Email ID: sylvia.j.most@maine.gov
Phone
Fax:
Murphy, Jeff
ME
Email ID: jeff.murphy98@yahoo.com
Phone
Fax:
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Staff Name
Role
Coty, Dale
Support Staff
Healy, Nora
Hearing Examiner
Marco, Jason
Staff Analyst
McColman, Jordan
Reviewer
Morancie, Stephani
Staff Analyst
Raber, Leslie
Hearing Examiner
Rizzo, Hailey
Hearing Examiner
Smith, Lucretia
Staff Analyst
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