Press Release

Montgomery County Public Input Hearing for Aqua PA Water & Wastewater Rate Case Rescheduled for Nov. 27th

Published on 11/21/2018

Filed under: Water and Wastewater

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today announced a public input hearing in Montgomery County, recently postponed because of severe weather, has been rescheduled for the evening of November 27^th.

The hearing will gather comments from concerned residents regarding the proposed water and wastewater rate increases by Aqua Pennsylvania Inc. and Aqua Pennsylvania Wastewater.

The hearing is scheduled for the following location and time:

Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2018
Hearing Starts at 6 p.m.
Upper Dublin High School
800 Loch Alsh Ave.
Fort Washington, PA  19034

The Nov. 27^th hearing is the final in a series of seven hearings held in locations throughout the Aqua Pennsylvania service territory.
 

Offering Comment at a Hearing

Members of the public are welcome to attend the hearings and provide comments. Their testimony will become part of the record on which the PUC will issue its final decision.

The PUC and Office of Consumer Advocate offer tips on how to participate, including:

• Prepare what you are going to say beforehand.  Even though it is not required, you may want to write out your statement, which can be read.
• Bring copies if you are attending an in-person hearing.  If you have a written statement you would like to give to the judge, please bring two copies for the court reporter and several copies for the other participants.
• Understand that parties in the case may want to ask you a question to clarify something you said.
   

Rate Increase Request

On Sept. 20, 2018, the PUC voted to investigate the rate increase requests. Aqua Pennsylvania proposes to increase its annual operating revenues for water services by approximately $66.373 million (15.4 percent).  Aqua Pennsylvania Wastewater seeks a corresponding increase in its annual operating revenues for wastewater services by $5.369 million (40.1 percent).  The total annual revenue increase request amounts to approximately $71.8 million.

Under the proposals, the average monthly bill for a residential Main Division water customer using 4,080 gallons per month would increase by $9.22 per month, from $59.85 to $69.07. The average monthly bill for a residential Media Division wastewater customer using 4,200 gallons per month would increase $20.73 from $42.19 to $62.92.

These revenue and rate increase requests are suspended for up to seven months and are assigned to the Office of Administrative Law Judge for evidentiary hearings and the issuance of recommended decisions or settlements.  More information on the ratemaking process is available on the Commission’s website.

Aqua Pennsylvania provides water service to more than 428,000 customers in portions of more than 200 municipalities throughout 32 Pennsylvania counties.  Aqua Pennsylvania Wastewater provides wastewater service to more than 19,000 customers in portions of more than 40 municipalities throughout 15 Pennsylvania counties.  Collectively, the two companies serve nearly 1.4 million people throughout the Commonwealth.

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.

Visit the PUC’s website at www.puc.pa.gov for recent news releases and video of select proceedings. You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube. Search for the “Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission” or “PA PUC” on your favorite social media channel for updates on utility issues and other helpful consumer information.

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Contact:

• Nils Hagen-Frederiksen
  Press Secretary
  717-418-2701
  nhagen-fre@pa.gov