Press Release

PUC Investigates Rate Increase Request by Little Washington Wastewater Company

Published on 3/1/2007

Filed under: Water and Wastewater

HARRISBURG –The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today voted to suspend and investigate requests by four divisions of the Little Washington Wastewater Co. (also known as Suburban Water Co.) to increase rates.

By order of law, the proposed increases will be suspended for up to seven months.  The Commission voted to assign the proposals to a PUC administrative law judge for a recommended decision or settlement.  PUC Commissioners will then make a final decision by Oct. 21, 2007, at a public meeting in Harrisburg.

According to the company, the increase is necessary to continue to meet the needs of customers, the requirements mandated by governmental authorities and to recover the costs of the company’s investment.

Little Washington Division

The company is requesting an increase of about $168,407 (57 percent) for its Little Washington Division. Under the company’s proposal, the annual bill for an average residential customer using 36,000 gallons of water would increase about $484, from $644 to $1,128. The increase would affect about 345 customers in Adams, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Delaware, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Schuylkill and Wyoming counties. 

Peddlers View Division

The company is requesting an increase of about $59,165 (45 percent) for its Peddlers View Division. Under the company’s proposal, the annual bill for an average residential customer using 60,000 gallons of water would increase about $273, from $612 to $885. The increase would affect about 214 customers in Adams, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Delaware, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Schuylkill and Wyoming counties. 

Media Division

The company is requesting an increase of about $64,969 (4 percent) for its Media Division. Under the company’s proposal, the annual bill for an average residential customer using 48,000 gallons of water would increase about $23, from $192 to $215. The increase would affect about 2,049 customers in Adams, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Delaware, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Schuylkill and Wyoming counties. 

Chesterdale/Willistown Woods Division

The company is requesting an increase of about $62,175 (14 percent) for its Chesterdale/Willistown Woods Division. Under the company’s proposal, the annual bill for an average residential customer using 36,000 gallons of water would increase about $74, from $526 to $600. The increase would affect about 819 customers in Adams, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Delaware, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Schuylkill and Wyoming counties. 

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities to ensure safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protect the public interest; educate consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; further economic development; and foster new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner. For recent news releases, audio of select Commission proceedings or more information about the PUC, visit our Web site at www.puc.state.pa.us.

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Docket No. R-00012074; R-00072073; R-00072090; R-00072075

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