Press Release

Smaller Rate Change Approved for Newtown Artesian Water

Published on 2/20/2025

Filed under: Water and Wastewater

Joint Settlement Scales Back Customer Charges and Usage Rates Across Rate Classes, Enables New Investments in Critical Infrastructure

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today approved a joint settlement providing for a lower than requested rate change for the Newtown Artesian Water Company (Newtown Artesian) in Bucks County and enabling the company to make new investments in its critical infrastructure.

The Commission voted 5-0 to approve a Joint Petition for Complete Settlement (joint settlement) as recommended by PUC Administrative Law Judge Eranda Vero and agreed upon by the following parties to the rate case proceeding:  Newtown Artesian, the PUC’s independent Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement (I&E), Pennsylvania’s Office of Consumer Advocate (OCA) and the Office of Small Business Advocate (OSBA).

The joint settlement provides for the following:

• A reduction in Newtown Artesian’s rate increase request by nearly 19% - permitting the company to establish customer rates increasing overall annual operating revenues by approximately $750,000 (about 11.5%). In its initial filing, the company had sought an increase in overall annual operating revenues of $922,418 (14.1%).
  
  
• New customer rates may take effect on April 18, 2025, for the company’s various customer classes, and will include a proportional scaling back of the company’s customer charges and usage rates for all rate classes.
  
  
• The company will continue its conversion from quarterly to monthly billing for all customers. The conversion to monthly billing is ongoing. Customers should consult their bills to determine if they are billed on a quarterly or monthly basis or contact the company to inquire.
  
  
• As indicated in the company’s initial filing, Newtown Artesian is to continue making new investments in its planned critical infrastructure improvements – including the construction of a new treatment plant for the treatment of “forever chemicals.”
  
  
• Newtown Artesian will provide I&E, OCA and OSBA with monthly updates related to actual capital expenditures, plant additions and retirements for the 12 months ending March 31, 2025, and March 31, 2026, respectively.

Newtown Artesian provides water service to nearly 11,200 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. 

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 Nos.: 
R-2024-3050208
C-2024-3050613
C-2024-3050625

Contact:

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