Increased water rates would help PWSA fund system improvements
Apr. 14—The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority plans to use the $32 million in additional revenue from a proposed 17% increase in rates to pay for continued improvements to the water system.
"As a publicly owned and controlled utility, every dollar we receive from our customers is invested back into your water systems," PWSA CEO Will Pickering said in a statement. "Our water infrastructure was built at the turn of the 20th century and has served us well. It is now time to rebuild our system for the next one hundred years so we can provide the quality water services that Pittsburgh expects and deserves."
In 2020, PWSA spent $122 million in system improvements, including replacing lead service lines, old water mains, improving stormwater collection and working on 100-year-old sewer pipes.
PWSA on Tuesday filed a request with the state Public Utilities Commission seeking approval to increase the rates. PWSA's rates have been regulated by the PUC since 2018.
PWSA also wants to add a stormwater fee and plans to offer more help to customers with financial problems to provide discounts on their bills.
For more information about the rate filing from PWSA, click here.
PUC spokesman Nils Hagen-Frederiksen said rate filings trigger a nine-month investigation from the PUC which involves several entities and there will be a public input hearing on the proposal before it ultimately is considered for approval by PUC commissioners.
PWSA will also provide details about the proposed increases with upcoming bills.
The increase provides for the minimal amount needed for PWSA to implement its capital improvement plan. It is being phased in over two years to reduce its impact on customers, PWSA said.
The new stormwater fee will be calculated by the impervious surface area of a property and is based on the average area of 1,650 square feet, which is considered one equivalent residential unit, or ERU.
The fee will range from $2.99 to $11.93 a month for residential customers, depending on the square footage of their property and $5.96 a month per ERU for other customers in 2022.
The fee would thing increase to a range from $3.98 to $15.90 a month for residential customers and $7.95 a month per ERU for other customers in 2023.
The fee will provide dedicated funding to allow PWSA to address stormwater management issues, reduce sewer overflows and reduce the pollution entering the rivers and streams in the region, according to PWSA.
The filing also includes changes to PWSA's customer assistance program that include expanding the winter shutoff moratorium to include adults 65 or older regardless of income.
It also increases the discounts available to low-income customers and increases the income levels for those eligible for the program. For information about these programs, click here.
"Our proposal builds off the customer protections put in place earlier this year and continues to help make bills as affordable as possible for those who need it most," Pickering said. "During these challenging times, the affordability of our rates cannot be ignored. No one should have to choose between paying their water bill and other essential expenses."
Tom Davidson is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tom at 724-226-4715, tdavidson@triblive.com or via Twitter .
