Press Release

PUC to Investigate Proposed Rate Increase Request by United Water Pennsylvania Inc.

Published on 11/6/2009

Filed under: Water and Wastewater

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today voted to investigate a proposed rate increase for metered water service for United Water Pennsylvania Inc. 

The Commission voted 4-0 to investigate the proposed $4,938,178 (16.2 percent) increase for water revenues.  It is suspended for up to seven months until June 15, 2010, and will be assigned to the Office of Administrative Law Judge for public hearings and a recommended decision or settlement. 

Under the company’s proposal, the average yearly residential bill would increase $64.20 from an annual bill of $396.12 to $460.32 (16.2 percent) for customers who use 54,000 gallons annually.

United Water Pennsylvania Inc. serves about 56,000 customers in portions of Dauphin, Cumberland, Perry, York, Luzerne, Wyoming, Columbia and Schuylkill counties.  The company said the primary reasons for the rate increase are due to the expected increased of electric power costs, due to the expiration of PPL rate caps on Jan. 1, 2010 and higher costs associated with the chemicals used to treat water. 

More information on the ratemaking process is available on the Commission’s website.         

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 website at www.puc.state.pa.us.

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Docket Number R-2009-2122887

Contact:

• Press Secretary
  717-787-5722