Press Release

PUC Approves Rate Increases for Four Water/Wastewater Companies in Venango and Columbia Counties; Two Lower than Requested

Published on 6/11/2015

Filed under: Water and Wastewater

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today approved four settlements for water and wastewater rate increases – two that were lower than requested – for companies in Venango and Columbia Counties: Venango Water Co. (Venango Water), B.E. Rhodes Sewer Co. (B.E. Rhodes), Plumer Water Company (Plumer) and Wonderview Water Company Inc. (Wonderview).

Venango Water (Venango County)

The Commission voted 5-0 to approve the joint settlement for a lower rate increase than requested by Venango Water, reached among Venango Water, the Commission’s independent Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement (I&E) and the Office of Consumer Advocate (OCA).

According to the settlement, the company will increase its overall annual revenue by $7,100 (5.2 percent). The company’s original proposal asked for an annual increase in revenues of $13,692 (9.9 percent).

Under the settlement, the average monthly bill for residential customers using 400 cubic feet of water will increase by $1.81, from $35.16 to $36.97 (5.2 percent). The rate increase will become effective July 5, 2015.

Venango Water provides water service to 244 customers in Venango County.

B.E. Rhodes (Venango County)

The Commission voted 5-0 to approve the joint settlement for a lower rate increase than requested by B. E. Rhodes, reached among B.E. Rhodes, I&E and OCA.

According to the settlement, the company will increase its overall annual revenue by $17,800 (25.5 percent). The company’s original proposal asked for an annual increase in revenues of $20,267 (29.4 percent).

Under the settlement, the average monthly bill for residential customers using 400 cubic feet of water will increase by $5.54, from $21.71 to $27.25 (25.5 percent). The rate increase will become effective July 5, 2015.

B.E. Rhodes provides wastewater service to 224 customers in Venango County.

Plumer (Venango County)

The Commission voted 5-0 to approve the joint settlement reached among Plumer, I&E, David J. Schneider and OCA.

According to the settlement, the company will increase its overall annual revenue by $11,409 (34.9 percent), which was the company’s original proposal. The increase will be implemented over two phases.

Under the settlement, the average monthly bill for residential customers using 2,000 gallons of water will increase by $13.14, from $40.84 to $53.98 (32.2 percent) over two phases. Under Phase I, the monthly cost of water service to such residential customers would increase by $9.94, from $40.84 to $50.78 (24.3 percent). Under Phase II, the monthly cost of water service to such residential customers would increase by $3.20, from $50.78 to $53.98 (6.3 percent). The rate increase will become effective July 5, 2015.

Phase I rates will produce additional annual revenues of $8,500, and Phase II rates will produce an additional increase of $2,909. Phase II rates will become effective upon written confirmation from Plumer to the Commission, the OCA and I&E that the company has fully complied with conditions set forth in the settlement related to the purchase and installation of a generator, in order to provide better service to customers.

Plumer serves 629 residential customers, 12 commercial customers and 48 public customers in Venango County.

Wonderview (Columbia County)

The Commission voted 5-0 to approve a rate increase requested by Wonderview, allowing for additional annual revenues of $14,686 (17.4 percent). No protests were filed against the proposed rate increase, and no hearings were held.

Effective July 1, the average monthly bill for residential customers using 3,900 gallons of water per month will increase by $7.61, from $43.69 to $51.30 (17.4 percent).

Wonderview serves 161 residential customers in Columbia County.

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; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

For recent news releases and video of select Commission proceedings or more information about the PUC, visit our website at www.puc.pa.gov. Follow the PUC on Twitter – @PA_PUC for all things utility. “Like” Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission on Facebook for easy access to information on utility issues.
 

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Docket Nos. R-2014-2427035, C-2014-2449257 (Venango Water); R-2014-2427189, C-2014-2449251 (B.E. Rhodes); R-2014-2430945, C-2014-2449258, C-2014-2449779 (Plumer); R-2015-2479710 (Wonderview)

Contact:

• Deputy Press Secretary
  717-787-5722