West Chester, Pa − July 30, 2024 – Residents served by Aqua Pennsylvania will have the opportunity to voice their opposition to the company’s plans to increase water and wastewater bills by nearly 20 percent, state Senator Carolyn Comitta said.
Under the proposals, the average monthly bill for a residential water customer would increase by 19.9% ($16.10). For residential wastewater customers, the average monthly bill would increase 18.4% ($14.92).
According to Aqua, it is seeking the rate increase to boost its annual operating revenues for water services by approximately $112 million and for wastewater services by $14.6 million.
“Residents have a voice when it comes to these rate increases and the time to speak out is now,” Comitta said. “It’s important that ratepayers take advantage of this opportunity because these rate increases impact so many people in our communities, including working families and senior citizens on fixed incomes.”
Beginning next week, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) is holding a series of hearings to gather public input on the rate increases. Those scheduled for locations in our areas are as follows:
Monday, August 5 – Montgomery County
1 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Curtis Hall Arboretum
1250 West Church Road
Wyncote, PA 19095
Wednesday, August 7 – Delaware County
1 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Delaware County Community College
STEM Building – Room #1403 (Auditorium)
901 S. Media Line Road
Media, PA 19063
Thursday, August 8 – Chester County
1 p.m.
New Garden Township Municipal Building
299 Starr Road
Landenberg, PA 19350
Monday, August 12 – Montgomery County
1 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Spring-Ford Area High School (Auditorium)
350 S. Lewis Road
Royersford, PA 19468
In addition, telephonic public input hearings have been scheduled as follows:
Wednesday, August 14
1 p.m. and 6 p.m.
To testify at one of the telephonic public input hearings, please pre-register by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, August 13, 2024 by emailing PUC Legal Assistant Christina M. Biggica, at cbiggica@pa.gov, or calling 717-787-1191 with your first and last name, the phone number you will be using to call into the public input hearing, and additional contact information.
Administrative Law Judge Gail M. Chiodo and/or Administrative Law Judge Alphonso Arnold III will preside over the various in-person and telephonic public input hearings. Any formal testimony offered during the hearing will become part of the record on which the PUC will issue its final decision.
In addition, you can ratepayers can file a formal complaint, an informal complaint, or submit a written public comment on the rate increase on the PUC’s website https://www.puc.pa.gov/complaints/formal-complaints/
The rate increases are currently on hold pending a final decision from the PUC in February.
Comitta also noted that Aqua last received a rate increase in 2022, increasing water rates by 10 percent and wastewater rates by 50 percent. It also received an increase in 2019, increasing water rates by nearly 10 percent and wastewater by nearly 35 percent.
“Every two years, ratepayers are asked to pay more for water and wastewater services – basic necessities for health, hygiene, and wellness. The impact is cumulative and especially pronounced in the face of rising consumer costs,” she said. “I understand and appreciate the need for utilities to make necessary infrastructure repairs and upgrades, but justifying raising rates to increase revenue does not seem fair. Many of my constituents are already paying more for monthly water and wastewater service than they ever have before.”
In addition, the Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate (OCA), has filed a formal complaint against the proposed rate increase with the PUC.
Aqua Water provides water service to approximately 445,000 customers in portions of more than 200 municipalities throughout 32 Pennsylvania counties. Aqua Wastewater provides wastewater service to approximately 56,000 customers in portions of more than 40 municipalities throughout 16 Pennsylvania counties. Collectively, the two companies serve nearly 1.5 million people throughout the Commonwealth, including many in Chester County and southeastern Pennsylvania.
In Chester County, Aqua provides services to customers in Birmingham, Caln, Charlestown, Easttown, East Bradford, East Brandywine, East Caln, East Fallowfield, East Goshen, East Marlborough, East Nantmeal, East Whiteland, Franklin, Honey Brook, Londonderry, Malvern, Newlin, Pennsbury, Pocopson, Schuylkill, Thornbury, Tredyffrin, Upper Uwchlan, Uwchlan, Wallace, West Bradford, West Brandywine, West Chester, West Goshen, West Pikeland, Westtown, West Vincent, West Whiteland, and Willistown.
###