Press Release

PUC to Investigate Water, Wastewater and Stormwater Rate Changes Proposed by Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority

Published on 6/15/2023

Filed under: Water and Wastewater

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) voted today to suspend and investigate rate changes proposed by the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) for water, wastewater, and stormwater services.

The Commission voted 5-0 today to suspend the rate change requests filed by PWSA, which provides service to approximately 116,000 residential, commercial, and industrial customers in the City of Pittsburgh and surrounding communities.

On May 9, 2023, PWSA filed a multi-year rate proposal that would increase overall revenues for water, wastewater, and stormwater services by a total of $146.1 million – phased in over the next three years – including a combined increase of $46.8 million (22.5%) for the 2024 fiscal year, an increase of $45.4 million (17.8%) for the 2025 fiscal year, and an increase of $53.9 million (17.9%) for the 2026 fiscal year.

Proposed PWSA Rate Changes

For water services, the request filed by PWSA includes an increase of approximately $36.5 million (27.3%) in 2024, along with an increase of approximately $32 million (18.8%) in 2025, and further increase of approximately $38.3 million (18.9%) in 2025.

For wastewater services, the PWSA plan includes an increase of approximately $3.3 million (6.5%) for 2024, along with an increase of approximately $6.9 million (12.6%) in 2025, and a further increase of approximately $9.5 million (15.4%) for 2026.

For stormwater services, the PWSA proposal includes increases of approximately $6.7 million (28.2%) for 2024, along with an increase of approximately $6.5 million (21.4%) for 2025, and a further increase of approximately $6.2 million (16.7%) for 2026.

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, the scheduling of hearings and the issuance and recommended decision. More information on the ratemaking process is available on the PUC’s website.

A final PUC decision on the PWSA rate increase requests is due by Feb. 8, 2024.

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-2023-3039919
R-2023-3039920
R-2023-3039921

Contact:

• Nils Hagen-Frederiksen
  Press Secretary
  717-418-2701
  nhagen-fre@pa.gov
• David Hixson
  Deputy Press Secretary
  717-772-2766
  dhixson@pa.gov