Press Release

PUC to Investigate Proposed Rate Increase for Aqua PA

Published on 1/14/2010

Filed under: Water and Wastewater

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today voted to investigate proposed increases for Aqua Pennsylvania Inc.

The Commission voted 5-0 to investigate the proposed 43.2 million (11.8 percent) annual increase. The request is suspended for up to seven months and will be assigned to the Office of Administrative Law Judge for public hearings and a recommended decision or settlement. A final decision must be made by Aug. 18, 2010. More information on the ratemaking process is available on the Commission’s website.     

Under the company’s proposal, the average yearly bill based on annual usage of 50,400 gallons for residential customers would change as follows:

• $579 to $645 (11.4 percent) in Main Division, Bristol, Fawn Lake Forest, Woodledge, Western Tanglewood Lodge, Thornhursts, Roaring Creek, Shenango Valley;
• $413 to $625 (51.2 percent) in Applewood and Marienville;
• $403 to $520 (29 percent) in Bensalem;
• $573 to $625 (9.1 percent) in Eagle Rock;
• $566 to $625 (10.3 percent) in Hop Bottom, Sunset Hills, Warden Place, Oneida, Floral Estates, Jefferson Heights, Mt. Cobb, Midway Manor;
• $484 to $625 (29.2 percent) in Stanton and Wapwallopen;
• $351 to $437 (24.5 percent) in Masthope;
• $503 to $625 (24.5 percent) in Pine Crest;
• $466 to $625 (34 percent) in  Garbush;
• $493 to $625 (26.7 percent) in Rivercrest;
• $240 to $300 (25 percent) in County Club Gardens, Maple Hills and Springhouse Farm;
• $540 to $627 (16.2 percent) in Hedgerow;
• $346 to $482 (39.5 percent) in Oakland Beach and Lakeside Acres;
• $354 to $470 (33.1 percent) in Honesdale;
• $342 to $461 (35 percent) in Clarendon;
• $413 to $546 (32.1 percent) in Emlenton; and
• $421 to $570 (35.1 percent) in Kratzerville. 

No rate increase is proposed for customers in Chalfont, White Haven, Core Village and Washington Park.

Aqua PA provides service to about 406,050 customers in portions of the following Pennsylvania counties: Adams, Berks, Bradford, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Columbia, Crawford, Cumberland, Delaware, Forest, Juniata, Lackawanna, Lawrence, Lehigh, Luzerne, Mercer, Montgomery, Monroe, Northampton, Northumberland, Pike, Schuylkill, Susquehanna, Snyder, Wayne, and Wyoming.

According to the company, the rate increase is needed to recover the company’s investment of $500 million to improve water quality, service and reliability for customers throughout the state. Specifically, the company said its capital investments include replacing and rehabilitating more than 250 miles of aging water mains as well as valves, service lines and other parts of its 5,100-mile distribution system. The company also said that of the $500 million investment, nearly $50 million is dedicated to the upgrade and rehabilitation of treatment plants to improve water quality, including the installation of state-of-the-art equipment to meet new environmental requirements, wells, pumping stations and water storage tanks.

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 No. R-2009-2132019

Contact:

• Press Secretary
  717-787-5722