Press Release

    HARRISBURG, Pa. - The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) has voted to allow Country Club Water Company to raise rates on five days’ notice if a request for a $50,969 (63.90 percent) increase is reduced to $30,718 (38.51 percent).

    Under the PUC's recommendation, adopted at its Nov. 4 public meeting, an average residential bill would increase approximately $69 a year, from $164 to $233 based on 60,000 gallons of water used. The company had proposed raising rates by $110 per year.

    If Country Club Gardens refuses to accept the lesser increase, the case will be suspended for an investigation and assigned to a PUC administrative law judge for a recommended decision. The company has 10 days from the date the order is entered to decide whether to accept the alternative rate.

    The company filed its rate request on August 25, 1999, to become effective October 26, 1999. Rates were last raised in 1991 by $25,250.

    The company said it needs to increase to realize a reasonable rate of return on the company’s fixed capital investments and to recover increased operating expenses.

    Country Club Gardens Water Company serves 413 residential customers in the Country Club Gardens, Springhouse Farms and Maple Hill developments in Salisbury, Lower Macungie and Whitehall townships in Lehigh County.

    For recent news releases, or more information about the PUC, visit our Internet homepage: http://puc.paonline.com.