Say NO to Rising Water Rates

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission is currently considering a proposal from Pennsylvania American Water that would raise water and wastewater rates for residential customers like you by approximately $203.9 million. If you are a Pennsylvania American Water customer, your water bill will increase - on average - $17.60 monthly, or about $211 a year.

Additionally, the residential fixed customer charge (a charge you pay before you even turn on the tap) would increase for water customers by 14 percent, from $17.50 to $20, and for wastewater customers by 40 percent, from $14.30 to $20 for a total increase of $98.40 a year. 

Can you afford to pay Pennsylvania American Water over $300 more per year for your water and wastewater? You can raise your voice to oppose these proposed rate increases. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission will hold public hearings - eight in-person and four virtual - to hear from you about PAW’s proposals. If you are a Pennsylvania American Water Company water and/or wastewater customer who could be affected by this rate hike, we strongly encourage you to participate in an in-person hearing closest to you or choose to participate in a virtual/telephonic hearing to voice your opposition.

In-Person Public Input Hearings:

• Monday, Jan. 29, 2024 – Port Vue, Allegheny County
  Hearing #1 will begin at 1 p.m.
  Hearing #2 will begin at 6 p.m.
  Both hearings will be held at the Port Vue Borough Social Hall
  1191 Romine Avenue, Port Vue, PA 15133
  
• Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024 – Scranton, Lackawanna County
  Hearing #1 will begin at 1 p.m.
  Hearing #2 will begin at 6 p.m.
  Both hearings will be held at the Scranton Cultural Center
  420 North Washington Avenue, Scranton, PA 18503
  
• Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024 – Exeter Township/Reading, Berks County
  Hearing #1 will begin at 1 p.m.
  Hearing #2 will begin at 6 p.m.
  Both hearings will be held at the Dunn Community Center
  4565 Prestwick Drive, Reading, PA 19606
  
• Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024 – Harrisburg, Dauphin County
  Hearing #1 will begin at 1 p.m.
  Hearing #2 will begin at 6 p.m.
  Both hearings will be held in the main PUC hearing room
  Hearing Room 1, Second Floor, Keystone Building
  400 North Street, Harrisburg, PA 17120

Additionally, a total of four telephone public input hearings have been scheduled.

Telephone Public Meetings

• Monday, Feb. 5, 2024
  Hearing #1 will begin at 1 p.m.
  Hearing #2 will begin at 6 p.m.
  
• Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024
  Hearing #1 will begin at 1 p.m.
  Hearing #2 will begin at 6 p.m.

Signing Up for the In-Person Public Input Hearing

If you wish to testify at an in-person public input hearing, you are encouraged to pre-register with the Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate before the date of the hearing you desire to participate in. Those who pre-register and provide the information listed below will be called to testify at the hearing in the order they pre-register.

If you wish to testify at a telephonic public input hearing, you must pre-register with the Office of Consumer Advocate by Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024, to receive the call-in information. Individuals will testify in the order in which they pre-register.

If you do not wish to testify but want to listen to the public input hearing, you may also contact the OCA to obtain the call-in information.

To pre-register for either in-person or telephonic public input hearings, contact the OCA by phone at 1-800-684-6560 or by email at consumer@paoca.org and provide the following:

• Your first and last name.
• The date and time of the public input hearing you wish to participate in.
• A phone number where you can be reached before the hearing.
• Your email address (if you have one).
• If you require an interpreter to participate in the hearing, the language of the interpreter.

AARP is fighting against Pennsylvania American Water’s proposal to raise your rates. On behalf of Pennsylvania residents 50-plus, we urge you to join the fight to oppose rate increases that benefit Pennsylvania American Water’s bottom line on the backs of its customers.