Press Release

PUC Investigates Proposed Rate Increase for Borough of Ambler Water Department

Published on 5/10/2007

Filed under: Water and Wastewater

HARRISBURG – The Public Utility Commission (PUC) today voted to investigate the Borough of Ambler Water Department’s request to increase water rates by $678,375 (36 percent).

Under the company’s proposal, the annual bill for an average customer would increase approximately $90 from $201 to $291.

By order of law, the proposed increase will be suspended for up to seven months from its effective date. The Commission voted to assign it to a PUC administrative law judge for a recommended decision or settlement. PUC Commissioners will then make a final decision by Dec. 16, 2007, at a public meeting in Harrisburg.

The increase would affect 3,817 customers in Upper Dublin, Whitemarsh, Whitspan and Lower Gwynedd townships, Montgomery County. According to the water department, the increase is needed to restore the Borough’s rate of return and net operating income to a more reasonable level to recover a return on and a return of the Borough’s increase of investments in a water plant that have occurred or will occur on a pro forma basis since it immediate past general rate increase.

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 new 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-00062017

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