Press Release

PUC to Investigate Rate Increase Requests Filed by Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority for Water and Wastewater Services

Published on 7/12/2018

Filed under: Water and Wastewater

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today voted to investigate proposed rate increases submitted by the Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority (PWSA) for water and wastewater services.

The Commission voted 5-0 to suspend the proposed water and wastewater rate increases for up to seven months from the time the rates would otherwise have become effective, and to assign the case to the PUC’s Office of Administrative Law Judge for corresponding proceedings and the issuance of a recommended decision.

The PWSA request, filed in July 2, 2018, would increase its operating revenues for water and wastewater service by $27 million per year (17.1 percent).

Under the PWSA request, the total water and wastewater bill for a residential customer using 3,000 gallons per month would increase from $63.62 to $74.23 per month (16.7 percent). Additionally, the total monthly bill for a commercial customer using 13,000 gallons per month would increase from $234 to $283.12 (21 percent); rates for an industrial customer using 680,000 gallons per month would increase from $9,409.52 to $12,064.79 (28.2 percent); and the monthly bill for a health or education customer using 50,000 gallons per month would increase from $1,031.30 to $1,131.73 (9.7 percent).

Public input hearings to gather comments about PWSA’s rate increase request from concerned residents will be scheduled by the Administrative Law Judge and publicized by the PUC and PWSA when dates and locations have been finalized. More information on the ratemaking process is available on the Commission’s website.

PWSA provides service to more than 300,000 residents and businesses in Pittsburgh and surrounding communities. A final decision by the Commission regarding the PWSA request is due by March 31, 2019.
 

PUC Oversight of PWSA

Act 65 of 2017 established PUC oversight over water, wastewater and storm water services by entities created by Pennsylvania cities of the second class – specifically, the PWSA.

Under a Final Implementation Order, approved by the Commission on March 15, 2018, PWSA was directed to file new proposed tariffs for water and wastewater service no later than July 2, 2018, and those tariffs would be subject to the PUC’s normal ratemaking process to determine just and reasonable rates, including a Commission investigation, public input and the ability for parties to voice their concerns.

The Final Order also requires PWSA to file a compliance plan by Sept. 28, 2018, to ensure compliance for regulatory issues not addressed in the tariff filing. That plan will address the future implementation of a stormwater tariff; a plan to address lead levels in the water supply and the replacement of lead service lines; a metering plan identifying unmetered accounts and plans to meter all customers; plans to convert to the Uniform System of Accounts; a Self-Certification Form for Security Planning and Readiness; plans to fully comply with the billing, collection, complaint, and termination rules of Chapter 14 of the Public Utility Code and Chapter 56 of the Commission’s regulations; and access to PWSA customer service management information system by the PUC’s Bureau of Consumer Services.

Today’s action by the Commission to initiate an investigation of the PWSA rate filing is an integral part of the PUC’s ongoing oversight responsibilities.

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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Docket No.:
R-2018-3002645
R-2018-3002647

Contact:

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