Press Release

HARRISBURG, Pa. - The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) yesterday approved an order that will allow Emporium Water Company to increase rates by $33,371 (5.16 percent). The company had originally requested a $259,937 (40.2 percent) annual increase in rates.

The rate increase will raise the average residential bill approximately $3 a quarter, from $58 to $61 based on 8,250 gallons of water used.

Also, each customer will pay an additional $6.43 per quarter to cover the company’s Public Utility Realty Tax Assessment (PURTA) tax. This amount represents the assessment imposed on the utilities by the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. Utilities can apply to the PUC for the right to pass on to customers the PURTA tax.

The company says it needs to increase rates to recover increased operating expenses and to realize a reasonable rate of return on its investment. Rates were last raised in 1996.

Emporium Water Company serves 1,403 residential customers, 111 commercial and 17 industrial customers in the borough of Emporium and parts of Shippen Township, Cameron County.

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