Press Release

PUC to Investigate Rate Increase Proposed by Lancaster Bureau of Water for Customers Outside the City of Lancaster

Published on 10/28/2021

Filed under: Consumer Education Water and Wastewater

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today voted to suspend and investigate a proposed rate increase by the City of Lancaster - Bureau of Water (Lancaster), for customers located outside of Lancaster’s corporate limits.

The Commission voted 3-0 to investigate the annual revenue and rate increase request. Lancaster proposes to increase its annual operating revenues for water services by $4,024,593, or 20.8%. Under the proposal, the average annual bill for a residential water customer using 13,600 gallons of metered usage per quarter would increase by $65.76, or 21.2%, from $310.80 to $376.56. 

These revenue and rate increase requests are suspended for up to seven months and will be assigned to the Office of Administrative Law Judge for evidentiary hearings and the issuance of recommended decisions or settlements.  More information on the ratemaking process is available on the Commission’s website.

The PUC has jurisdiction over Lancaster water service provided to customers located outside the City of Lancaster. Lancaster provides water service to 31,280 customers outside of Lancaster’s corporate limits in portions of Millersville Borough and East Hempfield, East Lampeter, Lancaster, Manheim, Manor, Pequea, West Hempfield and West Lampeter Townships, Lancaster County.

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.

# # #

Docket Nos.  R-2021-3026682 and C-2021-3029095

Contact:

• Denise McCracken
  Senior Communications Specialist
  717-787-5722
  demccracken@pa.gov