Aqua PA customers could soon see a significant increase in their water bill

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Water utility Aqua is asking to increase rates for Pennsylvania customers starting this month, but a state review is expected to delay any change until next year.

Residential Aqua customers were informed they could pay about $20 per month if the increase is approved by the Pennsylvania Utility Commission. Commercial customers could see their bills go up by more than $100 per month.

Aqua says it wants to collect a total of $126.7 million more per year to recover nearly $1 billion the utility invested in wells, treatment plants and pipelines from 2023 to 2025.

The request was submitted in May, with Aqua asking the increase to go into effect on July 22, 2024, but Aqua tells KYW Newsradio the Utility Commission’s review process is expected to delay any change until February of 2025.

Aqua says no bills will be affected in the meantime.

The utility tells KYW it “seeks grants and low interest loans to minimize the financial impact on customers” and said anyone in need of financial assistance should contact them to arrange a payment plan.