The Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) filed a request for a rate change in January 2021 seeking additional revenue to meet expenses in Fiscal Years 2022 and 2023.
Last week, PWD and the Public Advocate reached a potential settlement.
While this change will not eliminate the need for a rate increase, it will help reduce the scale of the needed increase at this time, if approved by the Philadelphia Water, Sewer and Storm Water Rate Board (Rate Board).
This means the anticipated rate increases for Fiscal Years 2022 and 2023 will be lower than originally proposed. Updates on bill impacts will be provided when available.
The PWD Rates site has updated information, including a summary of the proposed settlement and a detailed Settlement Term Sheet:
Submit Comment by May 11
Please note that the settlement is currently only proposed and the terms may change.
PWD does not set rates: the independent Rate Board, appointed by City Council, will approve, reject, or modify our proposed rate change and settlement.
In making their decision, they will weigh public input from organizations and individual customers.
All input must be submitted by May 11, 2021.
To submit a written public comment:
Or send written comments by mail to:
Philadelphia Water, Sewer & Storm Water Rate Board
C/O: Steven Liang
1515 Arch Street, 17th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Why care about water rates?
We are a public, not-for-profit utility. All of our revenue is determined by rates and collected through water bills. Water bills support infrastructure improvements and the delivery of essential services.
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Without new rates, we will not have the revenue needed to meet legal and operating requirements.
- Aging infrastructure, including six major plants and a 6,700-mile network of water mains and sewers, needs immediate investment to ensure the integrity of essential water and wastewater systems.
Expanded help for water bills
Few cities have water bill assistance as progressive as Philadelphia's.
We pioneered the nation’s first income- and hardship-based affordability program.
Shutoff protection for most customers was halted in spring 2020 and was recently extended until April 1, 2022.
Assistance options were also expanded following the pandemic, and we are actively reaching out to all customers in need of help. Extended payment agreements and other options are available for those who don’t qualify for any programs.
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