Press Release

PUC to Investigate Water Rate Increase Proposed by the Borough of Hanover - Hanover Municipal Water Works

Published on 8/5/2021

Filed under: Water and Wastewater

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today voted to suspend and investigate rate changes for water service proposed by the Borough of Hanover – Hanover Municipal Water Works (Hanover), for customers located outside the Borough of Hanover.

The Commission voted 4-0 to suspend the rate change proposed by Hanover.  That system provides water service in the Borough of Hanover as well as serving approximately 11,000 customers (26,800 people) located outside of Borough limits, including Penn Township and Heidelberg Township in York County, along with Conewago Township and McSherrystown Borough in Adams County. The PUC has jurisdiction over the water service provided to customers outside the Borough.

On June 29, 2021, Hanover filed a proposed water service rate increase which would increase annual revenues by an estimated $1,563,100 (27.6%).  Under Hanover’s proposal, the average bill for a residential customer would increase from $275.75 to $353.28 per year.

Ratemaking Process

Today’s action by the Commission suspends the rate change request for up to seven months and the case will now be assigned to the PUC’s Office of Administrative Law Judge for an investigation and recommended decision. More information on the ratemaking process is available on the PUC’s website.  A final PUC decision on the Hanover rate case is due by March 28, 2022.

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-2021-3026116

Contact:

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