For Immediate Release: September 3, 2026
New Water, Sewer, and Stormwater Rates to Support Critical Infrastructure Upgrades and Increased Enrollment in Affordability Programs
Independent Board Set rates in effect September 1, 2026.
PHILADELPHIA — New water, sewer, and stormwater rates took effect on September 1, 2026, the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) announced. The increase supports rising service costs and necessary investments in the city’s essential water systems. A portion of the increase also funds the Tiered Assistance Program (TAP), which provides lower rates for vulnerable customers who need financial support. For a typical residential customer using 3,220 gallons per month, the monthly bill is now $96.16, an increase of $6.74, or 7.5 percent, from $89.42.
The typical bill for a residential customer with a monthly water usage of 3,220 gallons will increase from $89.42 to $96.16 (7.5% increase), starting September 1, 2026.
“This increase and all fees that Philadelphia residents pay are directly invested into Philadelphia Water Department services and infrastructure to ensure safe and reliable water, sewer, and stormwater services.” said Philadelphia Water Department Commissioner, Ben Jewell. “As a public, cost of service utility, we do not make any profit from raising rates or any other funding source.”
“We know that any increase in household expenses can be difficult for families who are already struggling to make ends meet,” said Revenue Commissioner Kathleen McColgan. “That’s why we remain committed to making sure Philadelphians know that help is available and that they can access programs like the Tiered Assistance Program (TAP) that make water bills more affordable.”
Water, Sewer, and Storm Water Rate Setting Process
The independent Philadelphia Water, Sewer, and Storm Water Rate Board sets rates for the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD). Rates include a base portion and an annual adjustment to reconcile the cost of the Tiered Assistance Program (TAP), called the TAP-R. On July 1, 2026, the Rate Board filed its official decision on the 2026 TAP-R Proceeding. The adjustment is added to the base rate increase approved for Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 in the 2025 General Rate Proceeding. Nearly 70,000 water customers receive a discounted water bill through TAP, as of July 31, 2026.
The parties involved in the rate-setting process include PWD, the Rate Board, and the Public Advocate, who represents the interests of residential and small commercial customers, and registered participants representing other customer segments. At the start of the 2025 rate proceeding, PWD detailed the factors driving the need for increased revenue:
- Maintain existing service levels by continuing to provide quality drinking water and treating wastewater, in compliance with federal and state requirements.
- Support critical infrastructure investments such as the multi-billion-dollar Water Revitalization Plan currently underway to bolster system resiliency and improve level of service.
- Cover the rising costs to deliver high-quality water, wastewater, and stormwater services.
- Fund assistance programs for customers in need.
Help with Water Bills
Anyone who has difficulty paying a water bill should call (215) 685-6300 and request a customer assistance application or apply online. Customers interested in learning more about the Philadelphia Water Department and the need to address aging infrastructure are encouraged to visit water.phila.gov
About the Water, Sewer and Stormwater Rate Board
The Philadelphia Water, Sewer, and Storm Water Rate Board was established by City Council pursuant to a 2012 amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter as an independent body to be responsible for setting the PWD rates and charges. The Board conducted the base rate proceeding and TAP-R adjustment per Council’s mandate and its regulations. The Board’s Rate Determinations, along with all documentation, including the public's emails and testimony, can be found on its website.
About the Philadelphia Water Department
PWD supplies drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater services to approximately 1.6 million people within the City of Philadelphia. The Department also has one wholesale water contract and 10 wholesale wastewater contracts with suburban townships and other entities outside the City.
PWD maintains a network of approximately 3,200 miles of water mains, 3,700 miles of sewers, 25,000 fire hydrants, and six treatment facilities.
About the Department of Revenue
The Department of Revenue collects taxes, water charges and fees, and other payments to support city services, the School District, and the Philadelphia Water Department. Each month the Department bills over 550,000 water accounts to collect the revenue necessary to support water service to the Philadelphia region. In Fiscal Year 2026, the Department of Revenue collected over $950 million in water revenue.
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