NEWARK, DE — Artesian Water Company, Inc., a subsidiary of Artesian Resources Corporation (Nasdaq: ARTNA), has submitted an application to the Delaware Public Service Commission (PSC) requesting a 12.41% rate increase. If approved, the adjustment would generate an additional $10.8 million annually and result in a 10.75% net increase in customer bills after resetting the existing Distribution System Improvement Charge (DSIC) to 0.0%.
The proposal aims to offset rising costs and support continued investment in critical water utility infrastructure. Since its last rate filing, Artesian has committed $58.5 million toward upgrades, including enhanced PFAS treatment systems, compliance with stricter water quality regulations, and maintenance of aging pipeline networks.
“For 120 years, Artesian has been committed to delivering high-quality drinking water and fire protection services,” said Nicki Taylor, President and CEO. “Meeting that commitment requires regular investments in infrastructure to maintain system resiliency.”
Infrastructure improvements include upgrades to electrical equipment, security systems, and water quality monitoring tools, as well as the replacement of aging water mains to reduce leaks and improve reliability. Artesian continues to proactively address the removal of man-made contaminants like PFAS, with recent investments in treatment systems at 14 facilities.
For the average residential customer using 4,000 gallons per month, this increase would raise the current monthly bill from $52.94 to $59.76, an additional $0.23 per day. Artesian emphasizes that typical customers would still pay less than $2 daily for water services.
The Delaware PSC and the Division of the Public Advocate will review the application, ensuring thorough oversight before implementation of any rate changes.
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