Shusterman announces public hearings over water rate hikes
Rep. Melissa Shusterman August 5, 2024 | 2:38 PM
PAOLI, Aug. 5 – Beginning today, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission is holding a series of five public hearings in the region to gather public input on proposed water and sewer rate hikes, announced state Rep. Melissa Shusterman, D-Chester.
There will be hearings in Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties over the next week.
Under the proposals, the average monthly bill for a residential water customer would increase by 19.9% ($16.10). For residential wastewater customers, the average monthly bill would increase 18.4% ($14.92). The Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate filed with the PUC a formal complaint against these proposed rate increases.
The hearing schedule is as follows:
Wednesday, Aug. 7 – Delaware County
1 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Delaware County Community College
STEM Building – Room #1403 (Auditorium)
901 S. Media Line Road
Media, PA 19063
Thursday, Aug. 8 – Chester County
1 p.m.
New Garden Township Municipal Building
299 Starr Road
Landenberg, PA 19350
Monday, Aug. 12 – Montgomery County
1 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Spring-Ford Area High School (Auditorium)
350 S. Lewis Road
Royersford, PA 19468
"Consumers are hit hard by rate hikes, making essential resources a financial strain," Shusterman said. "These increases turn a necessity into a growing expense, creating obstacles to access that can have wide-ranging consequences. Nonetheless, we have an opportunity to make a difference by participating in the hearings. I am eager to see a strong turnout."
Interested residents are encouraged to visit the PUC’s website at puc.pa.gov for information on how the hearing will be conducted. A form for commenting during the hearing can be printed ahead of time from here.
In addition, telephonic public input hearings have been scheduled as follows:
Wednesday, Aug. 14
1 p.m. and 6 p.m.
To testify at one of the telephonic public input hearings, interested residents must pre-register by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 13 by emailing PUC Legal Assistant Christina M. Biggica, at cbiggica@pa.gov, or calling 717-787-1191 and providing first and last name, the phone number that will be used to call into the public input hearing, and additional contact information.