State regulators have given preliminary approval to a rate hike request for Bridgeport-based Aquarion Water Co.
The state Department of Public Utility Control issued a draft decision approving about half the increase sought. The DPUC would grant Aquarion $17.15 million in additional revenue, or an overall increase of 14.84 percent.
Aquarion originally asked for a $31.95 million, or nearly 28 percent, increase to pay for infrastructure improvements and increases in operating expenses.
Rate increases would vary across the 36 cities and towns Aquarion serves.
A DPUC hearing on written exceptions to the draft decision will be held Dec. 7, with a final decision expected to be issued on Dec. 12.
