Press Release

PUC Suspends Water Rate Increase Request for United Water

Published on 3/16/2006

Filed under: Water and Wastewater

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today voted to suspend and investigate a United Water Pennsylvania, Inc. request to increase water rates by $7.54 million (32.4 percent) for its customers.

The Commission voted unanimously to suspend the proposed increase for up to seven months from its March 30, 2006 proposed effective date and assigned to a PUC administrative law judge for a recommended decision or settlement. The Commission has until the end of the seven-month period to make a final decision at a public meeting in Harrisburg.

Under the company’s proposal, the annual bill for an average customer using 52,000 gallons of water a year would increase by about $96 a year. The average annual residential bill would increase from about $295 to $391.

United Water Pennsylvania serves more than 150,000 people in 40 municipalities in Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Luzerne, Perry, Schuylkill, Wyoming and York counties. The company said the primary reason for the rate increase is the substantial cost required by the construction of the Sixth Street, Harrisburg, and Hummelstown treatment plants.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission ensures safe, reliable and reasonably priced electric, natural gas, water, telephone and transportation service for Pennsylvania consumers, by regulating public utilities and by serving as responsible stewards of competition. For recent news releases, or more information about the PUC, visit our website at www.puc.state.pa.us.

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Docket No:      R-00051186

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  717-787-5722