Press Release

PUC Continues Measures for Water Companies to Better Track and Reduce Levels of Unaccounted-for Water

Published on 11/10/2011

Filed under: Water and Wastewater

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today voted to continue a measure designed to help its jurisdictional water companies better track and reduce levels of unaccounted-for water.

The Commission voted 5-0 to direct the five participating companies, Aqua Pennsylvania Inc., Pennsylvania-American Water Company, The Superior Water Company, the York Water Company and United Water Pennsylvania Inc. to file their annual Water Audit summaries with the Commission for the year ended Dec. 31, 2011, no later than April 30, 2012, and to continue filing annual Water Audit summaries. 

“The Commission has successfully implemented another groundbreaking regulatory tool, which has helped achieve a number of public interest benefits,” said PUC Chairman Robert F. Powelson.  “The continuation of this water audit will advance overall infrastructure reliability, help preserve water resources, limit water leakage, reduce overall company risk, and enhance customer service.” 

The Commission also directed all other Class A water utilities (those that earn more than $1 million in annual revenue) to commence filing annual Water Audit summaries with the Commission the year ended Dec. 31, 2012 and no later than April 30, 2013.  These other  Class A water utilities presently include Columbia Water Company, Newtown Artesian Water Company, CAN DO, Inc-Water Division, United Water Bethel, Inc., and Audubon Water Company.

As part of today’s approval, the Commission directed the PUC Law Bureau to prepare proposed regulations implementing the Water Audit methodology as a best management practice in water loss control in Pennsylvania.

Interested parties may submit comments up to 30 days from the entry of this Tentative Opinion and Order by contacting the PUC Secretary, P.O. Box 3265, Harrisburg , PA 17105-3265.

At the Public Meeting of Sept. 16, 2008, the Commission approved a motion by Commissioner Robert F. Powelson to seek comments on the creation of a Water Audit pilot program that would enhance the companies’ tracking of levels of unaccounted-for water, which is water that is lost between the treatment plant and sale to customers.  Causes of unaccounted-for water include underground leakage, inaccurate billing information and unauthorized use.  The Water Audit was designed to provide an effective, standardized structure by guiding the water utility to quantify apparent and real loss volumes in a systemized approach and assigning cost impacts to the losses. The voluntary pilot program was designed to further overall infrastructure reliability, help preserve water resources, limit water leakage, and enhance customer service.

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 Web site at www.puc.state.pa.us.

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Contact:

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