Press Release

PUC Approves Settlement for Smaller Water and Wastewater Rate Increases by the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority

Published on 12/3/2020

Filed under: Water and Wastewater

New COVID-19 Relief Measures and Enhancements to Existing Customer Assistance Programs Included in Settlement

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today approved a joint settlement resulting in water and wastewater service rate increases for the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) which are substantially smaller than initially requested by PWSA.

Additionally, the settlement includes several new relief measures to assist consumers who are struggling financially as the result of the COVID-19 pandemic, along with enhancements to other existing PWSA assistance programs.

The Commission voted 4-0 to adopt the Recommended Decision of PUC Administrative Law Judges Mary D. Long and Emily I. DeVoe and approve a joint petition for settlement submitted by PWSA, the PUC's independent Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement, the Office of Consumer Advocate, the Office of Small Business Advocate, Pittsburgh UNITED and the City of Pittsburgh.

The joint settlement reduces the overall revenue increase from $43.8 million (requested in PWSA's initial filing for 2021), to $19 million. Also, the settlement terms include the withdrawal of PWSA's request for a multi-year rate plan, which had proposed an additional $12.6 million increase in rates during 2022. 

The settlement will increase the typical PWSA residential customer's water and wastewater bill by 9.7% - compared to the initial PWSA request, which would have increased bills by 19.1% in 2021 and another 6.26% in 2022.

Additionally, the settlement establishes the future proceeding through which PWSA can propose a stormwater tariff and includes COVID-19 consumer relief measures, enhances assistance for income-qualified consumers and addresses other customer service and quality of service issues.

Today's PUC order directs PWSA to file revised water and wastewater tariffs, consistent with the settlement, with new rates to become effective on January 14, 2021.

PWSA provides service to approximately 80,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in the City of Pittsburgh and surrounding communities.

COVID-19 Measures

The settlement includes a series of relief measures to assist customers during the COVID-19 pandemic, including:

• Waiving reconnection fees through the end of the next rate case or one year from a date of the final order in this proceeding, whichever is later.
• Performing targeted outreach to customers with existing debt.
• Implementing expanded payment arrangement options for one year from the date of the final order in this case or until January 14, 2022, whichever is later.
• Continuing to expand outreach efforts with community partners and through collaboration with the Low-Income Assistance Advisory Committee (LIAAC).
• Waiving the Hardship Grant Program's sincere effort of payment requirements for one year from the date of the final order in this case, or until January 14, 2022, whichever is later.

Additional Customer Assistance

The settlement also details enhancements to existing PWSA customer assistance programs, including:

• Increased income levels for PWSA's winter shutoff moratorium.
• Establishment of a pilot arrearage forgiveness program.
• Modifications to existing hardship grant and bill discount programs.
• Improved data tracking to identify customers who meet income guidelines for assistance programs.
• The continued evaluation of PWSA's programs and future enhancements.

About the PUC

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 Nos.:

R-2020-3017951

R-2020-3017970

Contact:

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