Press Release
PUC Approves Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority Rate Settlement for Water, Wastewater and Stormwater Services
Published on 11/18/2021
Filed under: Water and Wastewater
Settlement Includes Substantially Smaller Rate Changes Along With Enhancements to Customer Service and System Maintenance
HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today approved a joint settlement that includes substantially smaller rate changes than had been originally proposed by the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) for water, wastewater and stormwater services to approximately 100,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in the City of Pittsburgh and surrounding communities.
The Commission voted 3-0 today to approve the recommended decision issued by PUC Administrative Law Judge Eranda Vero and adopt the joint settlement, which was supported by PWSA, the PUC’s independent Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement, the Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate, the Pennsylvania Office of Small Business Advocate, Pittsburgh United and the City of Pittsburgh.
The settlement approved today allows for an increase in PWSA base rate revenues for water and wastewater service, along with a new stormwater charge, totaling $20.998 million, to be phased-in over a two-year period – compared to the $32.2 million increase for that same period which was originally sought by PWSA. The settlement also addresses numerous other customer service and system operation issues which were raised during the rate case.
Under the terms of the settlement, the rate increases will be implemented over a two-year period, resulting in a $16.996 million increase in PWSA annual revenues, effective Jan. 12, 2022, along with an additional $4.002 million in annual revenues starting on Jan. 1, 2023. A typical PWSA residential water, wastewater conveyance and stormwater customer using 3,000 gallons of water per month will see the total bill increase from $79.34 to $86.43, or by $7.09 (8.9%), after the second step of the increase in 2023 – compared to a $11.71 (14.8%) increase which was originally sought by PWSA.
Additionally, the settlement includes additional commitments to provide relief to customers
during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic; improvements to low-income assistance programs, customer service and consumer education; and increases in system-wide testing and maintenance efforts – all benefiting the customers served by PWSA and the public interest.
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 No.:
R-2021-3024773
R-2021-3024774
R-2021-3024779
Contact:
-
Nils Hagen-Frederiksen
Press Secretary
717-418-2701
nhagen-fre@pa.gov
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