HARTLAND – The Maine Public Utilities Commission has approved a 19 percent overall increase in water rates for Aqua Maine’s Hartland Division, effective Nov. 17.

The increase is the first for Aqua Maine’s Hartland Division since November 2002, and is driven primarily by declining water consumption and upgrades to the 370-customer system, according to Aqua Maine.

“The Hartland Division has carefully managed its overall expenses, but with an 8 percent drop in revenue since rates were last set in 2002 as consumption has declined, coupled with ongoing infrastructure replacement to improve the water system, this increase was needed,” said Aqua Maine President Judy Kelley in a press release.

The increase, applicable to metered customers, will make the average monthly bill for a customer using 600 cubic feet of water $40.79, an increase of $9.96. Most residential customers will pay less than $1.35 a day for the 150 gallons of water delivered to their homes each day.

For information, contact Kelley at 236-8428 or jwkelley@aquaamerica.com.