SCRANTON, PA — Northeast Pennsylvania residents will have their only opportunity this week to testify in person regarding a proposed rate increase by Pennsylvania American Water Co. (PAWC) that could add hundreds of dollars to annual household utility costs. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) has scheduled two local hearings for Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, at the University of Scranton. These sessions are part of a broader statewide investigation into the company’s request for an approximately 14.6% increase in total annual operating revenues.
The Scranton sessions represent the only in-person hearings scheduled for the Northeast region and will take place on the fifth floor of Brennan Hall, located at 320 Madison Avenue. The first hearing is set to begin at 1:00 p.m., followed by a second session at 6:00 p.m. While no pre-registration is required to testify at these in-person events, those who are unable to attend in Scranton can participate in two telephonic hearings scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, also at 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. For the phone sessions, residents are encouraged to pre-register by 4:00 p.m. on January 19 to ensure they are called to testify.
If approved, the new rates would take effect in August 2026, with the financial impact varying based on the type of service a customer receives. A typical residential water customer could see an increase of approximately $14 per month, or $168 annually, while wastewater-only customers might see their bills rise by about $10 per month, totaling $120 a year. Customers who receive both water and wastewater services could face a combined increase of up to $20 per month, adding $240 to their yearly expenses. The company maintains that the $168.7 million revenue increase is necessary to fund over $1.2 billion in infrastructure investments, including the replacement of aging mains and the removal of lead service lines.
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