Press Release

PUC Approves Settlement for York Water Company Rates for Water and Wastewater Services

Published on 1/12/2023

Filed under: Water and Wastewater

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today approved a joint settlement that will result in a smaller overall increase in annual revenues for York Water Company (York Water) than was initially proposed by the utility. 

York Water provides water service to more than 70,000 customers in parts of York and Adams counties, along with wastewater service to approximately 3,300 customers in parts of York, Adams and Franklin counties.

The Commission voted 5-0 to adopt the recommended decision of PUC Administrative Law Judge Katrina L. Dunderdale and adopt a joint settlement.

The settlement will result in a $13.5 million increase in annual revenue for York Water, including an $11.6 million increase in annual water revenues and a $1.9 million increase in annual wastewater revenues. This is a substantially smaller overall increase than the original proposal by York Water, which called for a $20.3 million increase in annual revenues, including a proposed $18.85 million increase in annual water revenues and a proposed $1.45 million increase in annual wastewater revenues.

Per details included with the recommended decision, York Water provides water and wastewater services to various townships, municipalities and subdivisions, and these rates are separate and distinct – with rate changes varying from 9.3% to 93.1%.  The new rates will become effective on March 1, 2023.

The settlement is supported by the Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate, the Office of Small Business Advocate, the PUC’s independent Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement and York Water.

Consumer Enhancement

As part of the settlement, the York Water Cares Low Income Customer Assistance Program will be expanded and information about the Cares Program and arrears forgiveness program will be posted on the York Water website.  The Cares Program was originally approved in a previous rate case on a pilot basis.  It will now be permanent and York Water’s funding for the Cares Program will increase from $20,000 to $40,000 per year.

York Water will also conduct an analysis of potential low-income customers on its water and wastewater systems, including a study of the cost, eligibility, and impact of a potential bill discount program. Based on that analysis, York Water will propose a pilot low-income bill discount program for residential water and wastewater services in the utility’s next base rate case.

Additionally, the settlement includes recommendations for customer service improvements, updating training materials for call center staff and other staff, and the establishment of a database to track and evaluate customer disputes.

About the PUC

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

Visit the PUC’s website at puc.pa.gov for recent news releases and video of select proceedings. You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. Search for the “Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission” or “PA PUC” on your favorite social media channel for updates on utility issues and other helpful consumer information.

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Docket No.:
R-2022-3031340

R-2022-3032806

Contact:

• Nils Hagen-Frederiksen
  Press Secretary
  717-418-2701
  nhagen-fre@pa.gov