Press Release

PUC Approves Settlement for a Lower Rate than Requested by Phoenixville Borough

Published on 5/30/2007

Filed under: Water and Wastewater

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today approved a settlement for a lower rate than requested by the Phoenixville Borough Sewer Fund.

The Commission voted 4-0 to approve the settlement for a $65,000 (87 percent) rate increase for customers who live outside of the borough. The PUC only has jurisdiction over the rates of customers who live outside the borough limits.

The settlement increases the annual bill for an average customer using 53,600 gallons of water by about $97 (71 percent), from about $137 to $234. Under the settlement, the unmetered annual bill would increase by about $165 (89 percent) from about $186 to $351.

The borough’s original request increased rates by $72,575 (99 percent), which represented a $152 increase for metered customers and $184 increase for unmetered.

The increase affects about 66 customers in East Pikeland and Schuylkill townships in ChesterCounty.  Phoenixville Sewer also serves 5,176 customers located within the borough’s limits, but those customers are not subject to the rate increase.

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, or more information about the PUC, visit our Internet homepage www.puc.state.pa.us.

# # #

Docket No. R-00061625

Contact:

• Press Secretary
  717-787-5722