BUTLER TWP — A state Public Utilities Commission hearing Tuesday night at the Days Inn went well for Pennsylvania American Water.

Of the 30 people who attended only 10 testified, with the majority supporting the water company’s request for an 11 percent rate hike.

If approved by the PUC, Pennsylvania American’s average residential water bill will be about $54 per month.

The company serves thousands of customers in Butler County.

Andrew Erie, a Center Township supervisor, told Administrative Law Judge Mary Long that the company has been a great help getting township residents on the water system, saving many from private well water that “stank and wasn’t fit to drink.”

Dawn Spielvogel of Butler and Mary Huff of Lyndora were the only other county residents to testify, with Spielvogel questioning the company’s profits and the actual need for a rate increase.

Huff testified that she lives on Social Security and can’t afford another increase in her bills.

“I’m speaking for all the regular old people out there: We can’t afford this. Everything just keeps going up, but I haven’t gotten an increase in my Social Security in two years so I don’t know how I’m going to pay for an increase,” Huff said.

Two representatives of the Utility Workers of America also testified against the rate hike, with Richard Whalen of Mount Pleasant saying the company’s profits and salaries for executives are too high.

Whalen also said Pennsylvania American workers have told him about unnecessary work being done during water leaks, such as instead of clamping a leak, replacing the pipe, “up to 18 feet of pipe,” making that practice too expensive.

Anthony DeCusatis, an attorney representing the water company, asked Whalen if he worked for Pennsylvania American. Whalen said no.

DeCusatis asked Whalen if he had seen the water company’s work in the field. Whalen again said no, but that water company workers he represents through the union had told him about that practice.

“Then that’s hearsay,” DeCusatis said.

Whalen countered, “No, I’m just telling you what the workers told me. I don’t think they’d lie.”

DeCusatis said, “Legally, something that a third party told you that you then tell us, is hearsay.”

Lorrene Osborne, director of the Clarion County Housing Authority, also testified against the rate hike, saying it would hurt the agency’s ability to help people find housing.

Others like Linda Nitch, director of the Lawrence County Economic Development agency; Richard DeBlasio, a Lawrence County commissioner; and Mary Sally with the Dollar Energy Fund, all praised the water company and said they supported the hike.

Long said the PUC will hold two public hearings in Washington, Pa., today, with the commission’s final decision expected by the end of November.