Press Release

PUC Approves Settlement for Lower Rates Than Requested by Little Washington Wastewater Co.

Published on 6/21/2007

Filed under: Water and Wastewater

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today approved a settlement for lower rates than requested by Little Washington Wastewater Co.

The Commission voted 4-0 to approve the settlement, which was reached between the company and the state’s Office of Consumer Advocate, the PUC’s Office of Trial Staff and consumers who had filed formal complaints.

All of the increases will go into effect once the company files new tariffs with the PUC.  For three of the company’s divisions with two step increases, the second portion goes into effect when the next rate increase for Aqua Pennsylvania is approved.

Peddlers View Division

Under the settlement, the company will raise rates by about $56,012 (42.5 percent) for the Peddlers View Division. The company’s original proposal increased water rates by about $59,165 (44.7 percent).

The increase would take place in two steps. The first step increase is $44,386. The monthly bill for an average residential customer using 5,000 gallons of water will increase about $17 from $51 to $68 (33 percent).  The second step increase is $11,626. The monthly bill for an average residential customer using 5,000 gallons of water will increase about $5 from $68 to $73 (7.4 percent).

The increase affects about 214 customers in Adams, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Delaware, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Schuylkill and Wyoming counties. 

Little Washington Division

Under the settlement, the company will raise rates by about $118,386 (53.5 percent) for the Little Washington Division. The company’s original proposal increased water rates by about $129,595 (58.1 percent).

The increase would take place in two steps. The first step increase is $86,131. The monthly bill for an average residential customer using 3,000 gallons of water will increase about $21 from $54 to $75 (38.9 percent).  The second step increase is $32,255. The monthly bill for an average residential customer using 3,000 gallons of water will increase about $7 from $75 to $82 (9.3 percent).

The increase affects about 345 customers in Adams, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Delaware, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Schuylkill and Wyoming counties. 

Media Division

Under the settlement, the company will raise rates by about $64,695 (9.5 percent) for the Media Division. The company’s original proposal increased water rates by about $64,969 (4 percent). This is a one-step increase. The monthly bill for an average residential customer using 4,000 gallons of water will increase about $2 from $16 to $18 (12 percent)

The increase affects about 2,049 customers in Adams, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Delaware, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Schuylkill and Wyoming counties. 

Chesterdale/Willistown Woods Division

Under the settlement, the company will raise rates by about $54,362 (12.4 percent) for the Chesterdale/Willistown Division. The company’s original proposal increased water rates by about $32,175 (14.1 percent).

The increase would take place in two steps. The first step increase is $27,772. The monthly bill for an average residential customer using 3,000 gallons of water will increase about $3 from $44 to $47 (6.8 percent).  The second step increase is $26,589. The monthly bill for an average residential customer using 3,000 gallons of water will increase about $3 from $47 to $50 (6.4 percent).

 The increase affects 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, or more information about the PUC, visit our Internet homepage www.puc.state.pa.us.

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 Docket Nos. R-00072073; R-00072074; R-00072075; R00072090

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  717-787-5722