I am writing to express my opposition to the Pennichuck Water increase request.

First, let me state that this increase request at this time in history with a devastating pandemic going on is inhuman.

Millions of people have lost jobs, lost the ability to feed their families, and are about to be evicted from their apartments and homes because they are unable to pay their rent / mortgages. Approving this rate increase of 22.8% at this time is without a doubt the wrong action.

Aside from being the wrong time, the requested increase is, in my opinion, beyond reasonable. I am one of many living on a fixed income and Social Security is giving us a 1.3% cost of living increase in 2021.

The notice states that Pennichuck is requesting a 15% temporary increase and a permanent increase of 21.05% which is incorrect. According to the proposal the total monthly cost will increase from $69.52 to $85.40 or $15.88 per month.

$15.88 is not a 21.05% increase, it is a 22.8% increase! The math is misleading.

The current rental rate for the water meter is $20.70. The proposed increase is $24.17 which is 16.7%. I have no option to BUY this meter. I MUST rent from Pennichuck . The usable life of this Neptune PEU 69378160 5/8 meter is between 15 – 20 years.

Assuming the average of 17.5 years, I will pay Pennichuck (at the current rate $20.70 month) 210 months @ $20.70 a total of $4347.00 for this meter which is available from plumbing supply houses for under $150.00. With the new rate proposed I will pay $5075.70 for this meter over it’s useful life. Keep in mind that there is no maintenance required for a meter. It either works or it needs to be replaced.

I understand that there is a cost to provide this service and that cost has to be charged. And I see that a huge portion of the cost is buried in the meter rental charge as opposed to the cost per gallon of water delivered. Seems to be just a little deceptive.

I suggest that Pennichuck look at some other New England water suppliers to insure that best practices are being used to operate at the lowest cost. This should include a review of compensation packages for officers/directors etc.

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