Pa. American Water seeks rate hike

Pennsylvania American Water filed a request Wednesday with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to increase its water and wastewater rates over two years, the company announced.

If the company’s proposed rates are approved, the monthly water bill for the average residential customer using 3,458 gallons per month would increase to $65.91 from the current charge of $57.85 in year one and to $69.73 in year two, according to the release.

The average monthly residential sewer bill would increase to $71.97 from $60.42 in year one and $76.85 in year two.

The request includes revenue increases totaling $138.6 million over two years: $92.4 million in 2021 and $46.2 million in 2022, according to the release.

The PUC’s investigation and analysis of the company’s filing can take up to nine months, and any new rates set by the commission would not be effective until 2021.

“Since our last rate case, we will have invested $1.64 billion in infrastructure upgrades, including replacing more than 427 miles of aging water and sewer pipelines and upgrading treatment facilities, storage tanks, wells and pumping stations,” Mike Doran, president of the water company, said in the news release.

The company serves 2.4 million people in 400 communities, he said.

Doran said the water company had been evaluating future investment needs before the COVID-19 pandemic began.

The rate hike request is not related to the pandemic, he said, and is based on the need for infrastructure improvements.

As part of the request, the company is proposing enhancements to its customer assistance program to further help water and wastewater customers in greatest need.

Financial assistance is provided to low-income customers, including emergency grants, bill discounts and water-saving devices and education, Doran said.

Bill assistance and payment arrangements are available for customers who qualify through the company’s H2O Help to Others Program.

For more information on the company’s rate proposal and to find out what actions customers may take, call 800-565-7292 or visit pennsylvania am water. com and select “Your Water and Wastewater Rates” under the Customer Service menu.