The Energy and Utilities Board is adding extra time as it begins a complex set of hearings that could reform the way water rates are regulated in the province.

The regulatory board began hearings on Tuesday that were sparked by a group of 28 Penobsquis homeowners who challenged the authority of the nearby Village of Sussex Corner to run their water system and charge them each $400 a year.

The EUB has now added another hearing on Nov. 12.

Depending on how the board rules on the Penobsquis homeowners' application, it may open the door to full water regulation in New Brunswick, and that could mean the regulatory board would set water prices for homeowners and for businesses.

Michel DesNeiges, a lawyer representing the Penobsquis homeowners, said water deals are becoming increasingly complex and perhaps should be regulated by the EUB.

"If the government is not going to listen then where do we go to in terms of making appeals? It may be the determination of the EUB that this is where these types of disputes could be settled," said DesNeiges.

The homeowners' lawyer said the hearing hinges at the moment on the wording of the act that governs the regulatory board.

The initial hearing drew lawyers representing the cities of Saint John and Moncton, along with the Department of Local Government, the Village of Sussex Corner and the Potash Company of Saskatchewan.

'A little bit amusing'

Beth Nixon is one of the Penobsquis homeowners who started the EUB application and brought the group of lawyers to the hearing on Tuesday.

"A small group like ours, from a small community and we're bringing out all these big lawyers. From my perspective, I shouldn't speak for anyone else, it's a little bit amusing."

The residents of the small community in southern New Brunswick have been using bottled water for five years after their wells dried up, a situation they blame on the local potash mine.

The New Brunswick government built a new water system for those residents and turned control of it over to the village of Sussex Corner to administer.

The village is demanding user fees before residents can tap into the water, so the Penobsquis residents are hoping their complaint to the EUB will allow them to set their own water rates.