Public hearings on Aqua’s water and sewer rate hike requests of nearly 20 percent begin Aug. 5. Media News Group
If approved, average water bill would go up $193 per year; average sewer rate by $179 per year
Beginning on Monday, Aug. 5, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission is holding a series of five public hearings in the region to gather public input on double-digit water and sewer rate increases sought by Aqua.
Under the proposed rate increases, the average monthly bill for a residential water customer would increase by 19.9 percent ($16.10 per month or an additional $193.20 per year).
For residential sewer customers, the average monthly bill would increase 18.4 percent ($14.92 per month or an additional $179.04 per year).
“The time is now to act and have our voices heard about how these proposed skyrocketing rate hikes will have a devastating impact on our monthly household budgets, particularly on those of our seniors who live on a fixed income,” state Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-146th Dist., said in a press release.
State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-146th Dist., shown here at a June press conference on the subject, has announced the PA Public Utility Commission will hold hearings in August on Aqua’s proposed sewer rate hikes.“Residents have a voice when it comes to these rate increases and the time to speak out is now,” state Sen. Carolyn Comitta, D-19th Dist., said in a press release. “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.”
Hearings scheduled for locations in Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties are as follows:
• Wednesday, Aug, 7, at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. at Delaware County Community College, STEM Building – Room #1403 (Auditorium) – 901 S. Media Line Road, Media, PA 19063
• Thursday, Aug. 8, at 1 p.m., New Garden Township Municipal Building, 299 Starr Road, Landenberg, PA 19350
• Monday, Aug. 12, at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m., Spring-Ford Area High School (Auditorium), 350 S. Lewis Road, Royersford, PA 19468
• Wednesday, Aug. 14, at 1 and 6 p.m., telephone public input hearings have been scheduled.
To testify at one of the telephonic public input hearings, you must pre-register by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 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.
Any formal testimony offered during the hearing will become part of the record on which the PUC will issue its final decision.
In addition, 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 Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate filed a formal complaint against the proposed rate increase with the PUC on June 13. Although the information provided by the company usually highlights the “average” user, actual rate calculations can vary depending on a number of different variables.
For example, although “average” rate hikes for customers are estimated at around 20 percent, according to the Consumer Advocate filing, if the requested rates are approved a Phoenixville water customer using 3,870 gallons per month would see their average monthly bill jump by 69 percent, from $22.87 to $38.65, or $189.36 per year.
“The proposed rates of return appear to be excessive and, if accepted would result in rates that are unjust and unreasonable in violation of chapter 13 of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Code, sound rate-making principles, and public policy,” the Consumer Advocates office wrote in its formal complaint.
The rate increases are currently on hold pending a final decision from the PUC in February.
Comitta noted that just two years ago, Aqua received a rate increase raising water rates by 10 percent and wastewater rates by 50 percent. The private, for-profit company 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 in a press release. “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.”
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 southeastern Pennsylvania.
This article appears courtesy of a content share agreement between North Penn Now and The Reporter. To read more stories like this, visit www.thereporteronline.com.
