State to investigate proposed wastewater rate increase

MILFORD — Sewage treatment costs could take a sharp upswing for homeowners at the Marcel Lakes Community if a 73 percent rate increase is approved by state regulators. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) on Sept. 24 voted to investigate the proposed rate increase for provider, Clean Treatment Sewage Co. The Commission voted 5-0 to investigate the proposed $221,317 increase for wastewater revenues. Action on the rate request was suspended for up to seven months until May of next year, and will be assigned to an administrative law judge for public hearings and a decision recommendation. Under the company’s proposal, the average yearly residential bill would increase from an annual flat rate of $816 to $1,409.28 (72.7 percent). Clean Treatment Sewage Co. serves about 370 customers in the Marcel Lake Estates Development in Delaware Township. The company reported that the reason for the rate increase is to restore the company’s rate of return and net operating income to a more reasonable level and to recover the company’s investments in sewer plants.