Press Release

PUC Approves Rate Settlement Requiring Substantial Customer Service Improvements by Community Utilities of Pennsylvania

Published on 8/1/2024

Filed under: Water and Wastewater

Settlement Expands Customer Assistance Programs and Includes Roadmap to Address Water Quality and Fire Protection Concerns

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today approved a joint settlement that includes smaller than requested rate changes for water and wastewater services provided by Community Utilities of Pennsylvania (Community Utilities or CUPA), along with steps to address concerns about customer service, water quality and fire protection issues.

The Commission voted 5-0 to approve the settlement, which impacts water service for approximately 3,257 customers in portions of Monroe, Northampton and Pike counties and wastewater services to approximately 3,832 customers in portions of Monroe, Chester, and Pike counties.

Key Consumer Concerns

In a statement at today’s PUC public meeting, Chairman Stephen M. DeFrank highlighted concerns raised by consumers during the PUC public hearings which were held during the rate case investigation – including the “disconcerting” lack of fire protection in much of CUPA’s system, urging the utility to “take action on this issue as expeditiously as possible,” with the expectation that this serious public safety issue will be addressed well before the company requests any additional rate changes.

Chairman DeFrank added that consumers deserve clear value for the bills they pay, noting that Community Utilities “still has work to do on behalf of its ratepayers.” The settlement lays out a roadmap for improvements to water pressure and water quality issues reported by residents and businesses, engineering studies to identify system shortcomings and prioritize improvements, and enhancements to the company’s consumer assistance programs – addressing affordability concerns and working to reach more income-qualified customers.   

Settlement Details

The settlement approved today includes smaller than requested changes for water and wastewater services – increasing water revenues by $1.2 million, rather than the nearly $1.5 million initially requested, and raising wastewater revenues by $1.4 million, rather than the $1.7 million that the company initially sought.

Additionally, the settlement includes numerous program enhancements, including:

• Doubling the income limit for CUPA’s Low-Income Program, increasing the income guidelines to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (from the current 100% income limit).
• Adding a permanent low-income section to the CUPA website and including links to the application form and all information about eligibility requirements.
• Conducting customer outreach in both English and Spanish about the expanded assistance options – including the ability for customers in the CUPA Low-Income Program to participate in an Arrearage Management Plan to help reduce and eliminate past-due balances.
• Performing annual system-wide leak tests, along with associated repairs.
• Conducting engineering and hydraulic studies to identify water pressure issues and fire suppression issues and providing updates on the implementation of recommendations to address those concerns.

The company also agrees to not seek another increase in base rates until February 2026, at the earliest.

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 X (formerly 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-2023-3042804 (water)
R-2023-3042805 (wastewater)

Contact:

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