The public will get its say starting this week on Pennsylvania American Water Co.\u2019s proposed rate hikes ranging from $120 to $240 more per year, depending on whether a customer receives water or wastewater service or both.\n<\/p>\n
Locally, the state Public Utility Commission will hold two hearings Thursday at 1 and 6 p.m., at the University of Scranton\u2019s Brennan Hall, fifth floor, 320 Madison Ave. This pair of hearings in Scranton, which are the only hearings to be held in Northeast Pennsylvania, are among 10 in-person hearings scheduled in pairs in four locations throughout the state, all also at 1 and 6 p.m. each day.<\/p>\n
The first pair of in-person hearings will be held: Tuesday in the city of Washington, southwest of Pittsburgh. The others will be held Friday in Harrisburg; Jan. 20 near Reading; \u201c]\u00a0and Jan. 29 in Coatesville.<\/p>\n
Preregistration is not required to attend an in-person hearing.<\/p>\n
The PUC also plans a pair of telephonic hearings for Wednesday, Jan. 21, at 1 and 6 p.m. Preregistration is encouraged for participating in telephonic hearings. For information on participating, visit puc.pa.gov.<\/p>\n
In a statement Monday, PAW spokeswoman Alana Roberts said: \u201cThis week\u2019s public input hearings offer Scranton customers a chance to give feedback to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. Since acquiring the Scranton Sewer Authority, we\u2019ve completed 41 projects that prevent 118 million gallons of overflow from reaching the Lackawanna River yearly. We\u2019re enhancing spillway safety and flood management at Maple Lake, Marshwood, and Dunmore Dam No. 7. These efforts demonstrate our commitment to cleaner waterways, safer infrastructure, and reliable service as part of a $1.2 billion statewide plan.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cost to ratepayers<\/p>\n
Pennsylvania American Water serves 682,000 water customers and 97,000 wastewater customers in 37 counties across the state.<\/p>\n
The water company proposes an overall increase of $168.7 million (about 14.6%) in total annual operating revenues for water and wastewater service.<\/p>\n
According to a PUC announcement Monday about the upcoming hearings, the rate increases sought include:\n<\/p>\n
\u2022\u00a0 Water: For a typical residential water customer using 3,263 gallons a month, an increase ranging from $2.73 per month to $27.77 per month, an increase between 9.8% and 41.14%, depending on their service area. In a November announcement, the water company estimated the water increase for a typical customer at $168 a year, or $14 per month.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Wastewater: For a typical wastewater customer using 3,164 gallons a month, an increase ranging from $0 per month to $26.29 per month, an increase between 0% and 54.14%, depending on their service area. The PAW estimate for a typical customer was $120 a year, or $10 per month.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Combined water\/wastewater: $240 a year, or $20 per month.<\/p>\n
The water company proposes no change to wastewater rates for Scranton wastewater customers.<\/p>\n
System improvements<\/p>\n
The announcement said the increases would support $1.2 billion in ongoing water and wastewater service system investments through mid-2027 for more than 2.4 million people served statewide; as well as a new summer wastewater billing adjustment and a renter assistance pilot to expand an existing affordability program.\n<\/p>\n
The investment will replace 117 miles of aging water main, continue eliminating lead service lines, and address emerging contaminants such as PFAS in drinking water; and also support wastewater system upgrades, including replacement of 32 miles of aging sewer mains.<\/p>\n
The rate request also includes:<\/p>\n
\u2022 A \u201cdeduct adjustment\u201d that calculates summertime wastewater charges based on a customer\u2019s average winter water usage when outdoor use is typically low. The adjustment excluding seasonal outdoor uses such as lawn watering and car washing would provide a more accurate representation of water entering the wastewater system.<\/p>\n
\u2022 A Renter Assistance Pilot Program to support low-income renters in master-metered buildings who are currently excluded from traditional utility aid. The pilot program would provide quarterly stipends for participating customers in Scranton and Butler, reflecting the company\u2019s existing discount levels.<\/p>\n
Roberts also said, \u201cTo make service more affordable, our request to the PUC also proposes a seasonal adjustment to wastewater bills and a new renter assistance pilot in Scranton, building on our Customer Assistance Program to provide innovative support for those who need it most.\u201d<\/p>\n