Press Release

PUC Approves Lower Rate Increase than Requested by United Water Pennsylvania Inc.

Published on 3/11/2010

Filed under: Water and Wastewater

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today approved a settlement agreement approving a rate increase for water service for United Water Pennsylvania Inc.

The Commission voted 4-0 to approve the joint settlement, which allows the company to increase its annual rates by $2.6 million.  The company had originally proposed an increase in annual rates of $4.94 million.  As part of the settlement, the average monthly residential water bill based on a monthly usage of 5,000 gallons a month will increase from $34.18 to $38.34 a month.  Under the company’s original proposal, the monthly increase would have been from $34.18 to $40.79 a month.  As part of the settlement, the company cannot file for another rate increase until March 2011.

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 one of the primary reasons for the rate increase is higher costs associated with the chemicals used to treat water.

 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-2009-2122887

Contact:

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