State okays water/wastewater rate increase

HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) in July voted to approve a settlement approving a lower rate increase than requested by Pennsylvania Utility Co. of Pike County. The Commission voted 5-0 to approve the settlement, which was agreed to by the Office of Consumer Advocate, the PUC’s Office of Trial Staff and other formal complainants. Under the settlement, the average quarterly residential bill for water customers using 9,000 gallons a quarter will increase $32.15 from $68.57 to $100.72 a quarter. The original proposal called for an increase of $51.79 to $120.36. The wastewater increase will take place in phases with an increase of $178,750 taking effect immediately and a $96,250 taking effect in 12 months. The second phase will not take effect until certain conditions are met. Pennsylvania Utility Co. provides water and wastewater services to 561 customers in Lehman Township.

The settlement
Under the settlement the company will raise annual water rates by about $70,000 (43.3 percent) as opposed to the proposed $112,309 (69.4 percent). The company’s annual wastewater rates will increase by about $275,000 (173.1 percent) as opposed to the proposed $369,827 (232.8 percent).The average quarterly residential bill for wastewater customers using 9,000 gallons a quarter will increase $83.84 from $68.57 to $152.41 a quarter in phase 1 and to $197.01 in phase 2. The original proposal called for an increase of $172.79 to $241.36 a quarter.