By Carol Britton Meyer

Weir River Water System customers in Hingham, Hull, and Cohasset will see a 3% rate increase next year if the company’s proposed rates for fiscal 2027 are approved.

Customers will receive a letter about the proposed rate increase and related public meetings by the end of the month, WRWS Managing Director/Superintendent Russell Tierney told the Citizens Advisory Board on October 15. The meeting dates were not yet announced.

If approved by the WRWS water commissioners – comprised of the Hingham Select Board since the town took over the water system four years ago – the increase would go into effect July 1, 2026. At the same time, an annual capital debt service fee of $65 will go into effect for the next 30 years to pay for the new $1 million Strawberry Hill water tank in Hull, the associated booster station in Hingham, and the rehabilitation of the Turkey Hill water tank.

Tierney attributed the increase to WRWS’s contract with Veolia, which operates the system, and the significant increases in the cost of parts and materials during the past five years.

This is the first time that rates have increased since the Town of Hingham acquired the water company from Aquarion in 2021. A 10% rate increase was part of that contract. At that time, a 10% increase every three years was anticipated, which turned out not to be the case.

“We’ve budgeted well to avoid that,” Tierney told The Hull Times in a follow-up to the meeting.

After reviewing the letter as proposed by Tierney, the CAB gave its approval, subject to their suggested changes.

When asked by a member of the advisory board about future anticipated increases following this one, Tierney estimated a 3% rate adjustment every two years.

“This will be an open and transparent meeting [about the proposed increase],” Tierney said.

CAB members include Stephen Girardi of Cohasset; Chair David Anderson and Charles Culpin representing Hingham; and Hull’s Director of Wastewater Operations/Assistant Director of Public Works John Struzziery and Hull Select Board member Brian McCarthy. There is one open spot on the board for a Hingham citizen to fill.

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