Press Release

PUC to Investigate Rate Increase Requests for Five Divisions of Little Washington Wastewater Co.

Published on 2/26/2009

Filed under: Water and Wastewater

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today voted to suspend and investigate proposed rate increases for the following divisions of Little Washington Wastewater Co.: Bridlewood, Deerfield Knoll, East Bradford, Links at Gettysburg and Northeast Pennsylvania Consolidated. 

The Commission voted 5-0 to suspend and investigate the proposed annual rate increases. Each matter is suspended for up to seven months and will be assigned to the Office of Administrative Law Judge for public hearings and investigation of the proposed increase.  More information on the ratemaking process is available on the Commission’s Web site.

Bridlewood Division

The Bridlewood Division proposes to increase its annual rates by $97,411 (64.2 percent).  Under the proposal, the average annual residential bill based on a usage of 67,200 gallons per year would increase $224.64 from $360.00 to $584.64.  The Bridlewood Division provides wastewater service to 184 residential and 2 commercial customers in portions of Bucks County.

Deerfield Knoll Division

The Deerfield Knoll Division is proposing to increase its annual rates by $20,522 (35.3 percent).  As part of the proposal, the average annual residential bill for a customer who uses 37,200 gallons a year would increase $177 from $492.60 to $669.60.  This division provides wastewater service to 118 residential customers in portions of Montgomery County.

East Bradford Division

The East Bradford Division proposes to increase its annual rates by $17,819 (20.3 percent).  Under the proposal, residential customers using 78,000 gallons per year would see their annual bill increase $224.52 from $1,097.64 to $1,322.16.  The East Bradford Division provides wastewater service to 80 customers in portions of Chester County.

Links at Gettysburg Division

The Links at Gettysburg Division is proposing to increase its annual wastewater service rates by $34,469 (80.1 percent).  As part of the proposal, the average annual residential bill for a customer using 36,000 gallons a year would increase by $428.64 from $535.56 to $964.20.  This division of Little Washington Wastewater provides service to 102 residential and 3 commercial customers in portions of Adams County.

Northeast PA Consolidated Division

The Northeast PA Consolidated Division proposes to increase its annual wastewater service rates by $633,942 (39.6 percent).  Northeast PA Consolidated is divided into eight subdivisions.  Under the company’s proposal the annual bill for an average residential customer would change as follows:

• $103.44 from $399.96 to $503.40 (25.9 percent) for unmetered residential usage in the Pinecrest Division;
• $223.68 from $270 to $493.68 (82.8 percent) for an annual usage of 26,400 gallons by residential customers in the Eagle Rock Division;
• $321.96 from $278.04 to $600 (115.8 percent) based on an annual usage of 60,000 gallons for customers in the Laurel Lakes Division;
• $297 from $300 to $597 (99 percent) for customers using 30,000 gallons a year in the Thornhurst Division;
• $124.08 from $470.16 to $594.24 (26.4 percent) based on an annual usage of 25,200 gallons for customers in the Woodloch Springs Division;
• $108 from $440.04 to $548.04 (24.5 percent) for customers using 43,200 gallons each year in the White Haven Division;
• $150 from $600 to $750 (25 percent) for unmetered residential usage in White Haven Division-Kidder Township; and
• $0 for average residential customers in the Rivercrest Division who currently pay $625.50 per year (no increase is proposed in this filing).

         The Northeast PA Consolidated Division provides wastewater service to approximately 2,810 customers in Pike, Luzerne, Monroe, Schuylkill, Lackawanna and Wyoming counties, Pennsylvania.

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 Nos. R-2008-2081542; R-2008-2081547; R-2008-2081533; R-2008-2081535; R-2008-2081738

Contact:

• Denise McCracken
  Senior Communications Specialist
  717-787-5722
  demccracken@pa.gov