Press Release

PUC Suspends Rate Increase Request for Township of Falls

Published on 12/4/2004

Filed under: Water and Wastewater

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today, by a vote of 3-1, with Vice Chairman Robert K. Bloom dissenting, suspended a request of the Township of Falls to increase wastewater rates by $321,640 (36.6 percent) for customers living outside the township limits.

Under the township’s proposal, the annual bill for an average residential customer using 60,000 gallons of water would increase by approximately $53 from $172 to $225.  The increase would affect approximately 1,268 customers in portions of Bristol, Lower Makefield and Middletown townships, Bucks County.

The township also proposed to increase wastewater rates for customers served inside the municipal boundaries, but the PUC has no jurisdiction over those rates. 

The proposed increase will be suspended for up to seven months from its Dec. 3 proposed effective date and assigned to a PUC administrative law judge for a recommended decision or settlement.  PUC Commissioners have until the end of the seven-month period to make a final decision at a public meeting in Harrisburg.

The company said the increase is needed to cover the increased cost of treatment services provided by the Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority.  Current rates have been in effect since 1995.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission ensures safe, reliable and reasonably priced electric, natural gas, water, telephone and transportation service for Pennsylvania consumers, by regulating public utilities and by serving as stewards of competition.

For recent news releases, or more information about the PUC, visit our Internet homepage at www.puc.state.pa.us.

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Docket No.  R-00049557

Contact:

• Cyndi Page
  Sr. Communications Specialist
  717-214-5434
  cypage@pa.gov