Press Release

PUC to Investigate Rate Increase Request by Newtown Artesian Water Company in Bucks County

Published on 8/22/2024

Filed under: Water and Wastewater

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today voted to suspend and investigate a proposed rate increase by Newtown Artesian Water Company (Newtown Artesian) for water service in portions of Bucks County.

The Commission voted 5-0 to investigate Newtown Artesian’s proposal to increase its annual revenues by $922,419 (14.1%).  Under the company’s proposal, filed with the Commission on July 19, 2024, the bill for a typical metered residential customer with a 5/8-inch meter using 12,000 gallons of water per quarter would increase from $106.45 to $121.23 (13.9%).  Additionally, Newtown Artesian proposes an increase in the fixed customer charge for residential customers from $22.71 to $26.90 per quarter (18.5%).

Based on today’s action by the Commission, the rate increase request is now suspended and will be assigned to the PUC’s Office of Administrative Law Judge for investigation and a recommended decision.  More information on the ratemaking process is available on the Commission’s website.

Newtown Artesian provides water service to approximately 11,167 residential, business, public fire protection and private fire protection customers in Newtown Borough, Newtown Township, and the northern portion of Middletown Township in Bucks County.  A final PUC decision on Newtown Artesian’s rate increase request is due by April 18, 2025.

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 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 No.: R-2024-3050208

Contact:

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