Former BASA customers receive proposed increased rates
Current Pennsylvania American Water customers may see higher bills beginning next year if the company’s request to increase rates is approved as filed by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.
Pennsylvania American Water filed a request on Nov. 8 to increase rates effective Jan. 7, 2024, according to a Pennsylvania American Water notice sent out to residents of its coverage area this week.
Whether former Butler Area Sewer Authority customers also see increased wastewater bills following the BASA sale hinges on the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission’s investigation of the request.
If approved as filed, current BASA rates would not “increase until one year from the sale closing or Jan. 1, 2025, whichever is later,” consistent with the acquisition agreement.
The overall increase in rates would amount to $203.9 million for water and wastewater operations.
The rate request is under investigation by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. The final effect on residents’ wastewater bills may differ from the company’s request.
According to Pennsylvania American Water, the company plans to invest more than $1 billion to upgrade treatment facilities, storage tanks, wells and pumping stations and replace aging pipelines for a period of 18 months beginning January 2024.
If the entire rate request is approved as filed, the notice reads, the typical wastewater bill for residential customers using 3,122 gallons a month would increase from $45.99 to $74.25 a month.
To learn more about how Pennsylvania American Water’s request may affect wastewater bills, contact Pennsylvania American Water’s customer service center at 1-800-565-7292 or by finding the rates requested at pennsylvaniaamwater.com under the customer service and billing menu.
According to the notice, residents can challenge Pennsylvania American Water’s request by sending a letter to the PUC objecting to the rate increase, attend or present testimony at a PUC public input hearing or file a formal complaint by Jan. 7, 2024.
Residents can send a letter or request a formal complaint form in writing to the Pennsylvania Utility Commission, Post Office Box 3265, Harrisburg, PA 17105-3265 or by visiting its website at puc.state.pa.us.
