Press Release

PUC Approves Lower Than Requested Rate Increase for Borough of Ambler – Water Department, Montgomery County

Published on 11/10/2022

Filed under: Water and Wastewater

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today approved a lower than requested rate increase for water services provided by Borough of Ambler – Water Department (Ambler) to its outside-Borough customers in Montgomery County.

The Commission voted 5-0 to adopt the Recommended Decision of PUC Administrative Law Judges Steven K. Haas and John M. Coogan, which approved a Joint Petition of Settlement (Settlement) among Ambler, the Commission’s independent Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement, and the Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate.

Under the Settlement, the increase in Ambler’s rates to its outside-Borough customers will result in additional annual distribution operating revenues of approximately $424,948, an increase of approximately 30.1% over existing rates.  The total average monthly bill of a residential customer using 4,000 gallons per month would increase from $31.08 to $40.03, or approximately 28%.

In its original filing to the Commission, submitted on March 31, 2022, Ambler proposed a rate increase in annual distribution operating revenues from its outside-Borough customers of approximately $637,691, an increase of approximately 45.4% over existing rates.  The original filing would have resulted in a total average monthly bill of a residential customer using 4,000 gallons per month increasing from $31.08 to $44.34, an approximately 42.7% increase.

The PUC has jurisdiction over water service provided to customers located outside the corporate limits of the Borough of Ambler. Ambler provides water service to 3,644 residential customers in Upper Dublin, Whitemarsh, Whitpain and Lower Gwynedd townships, Montgomery County.

The 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 Nos:        R-2022-3031704
                             C-2022-3031902
                             C-2022-3032690

Contact:

• David Hixson
  Deputy Press Secretary
  717-772-2766
  dhixson@pa.gov